A House of Commons debate has confirmed that Parliament’s controversial plans to demolish Richmond House, one of the most significant historic public buildings of the 1980s, will not now proceed.
This marks a major step-change in the campaign led by SAVE Britain’s Heritage to stop the demolition of Richmond House – the first time MPs have confirmed that the building will be saved.
Marcus Binney, executive president of SAVE Britain’s Heritage says: “The whole process of Restoration & Renewal will be greatly speeded up if the House of Commons and the Sponsor Board formally set aside the extravagant plans for the mammoth demolition and rebuilding of Richmond House, and adopt a cheaper, faster, less wasteful strategy.”
“In addition to SAVE’s alternative scheme, the architect Ian Ritchie has proposed temporary pavilions for both Parliamentary Chambers, costed at £20 million each. A revised scheme is also being prepared by Foster + Partners architects for a temporary Commons Chamber on Horse Guards Parade, and will be released shortly, believed to cost within £100 million. All of these schemes by leading British architects represent massive tax-payer savings and much reduced carbon costs.”
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