BUILDINGS IN ENGLAND.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5361, 7 December 1928, Page 1

BUILDINGS IN ENGLAND.

RESTRICTIONS IN LONDON. “OUT-OF-DATE AND IRKSOME.” The fact that a Manchester Corporation Cominitttee has passed plans for a 17-storey building in that city which will be tine tallest in Englandhas not created surprise among architects. ..

Mr. Robert Atkinson, who has business interests in Manchester, stated recently that this nqw block wWld not be much higher than many now existing in that city. “The new building will probably be about 206 feet high,” he said. “There are a large number of other very high buildings in Manchester, which contrasted strongly with the limitations of London. Liverpool, I believe, has a limit, but it is considerably . greater than that of London, in Edinburgh there are many high buildings, old tenements in High Street having seven storeys, and some of the city tenements ten.

“The highest dwellings in London are Queen Anne’s Mansions, which have twelve storeys, but they were run up before the present A c t s c,ame into force . Indeed, i.t is said those buildings were responsible, for the present restrictions. At present the limit in height for London, including the city, is 80ft. up to the; cornice, and one c,an go, up to two storeys above that with the sloping roof, but these must not be used for business purposes.

“The second highest office building in Londojn, when completed, will be Broadway House;, the headquarters of the undergrounds railways, andl their associated undertakings, near. Queen Anne’s Mansions. Indeed the ornamental tower surrounding the building will be, some feet higher than the mansions. Under existing conditions, the top floors of the ‘slope’ bevond the 80ft limit will not I>6" available for use unless and until the Acts are modified. But with expansive, base the non-use of the uppermost part rather than architecturally, spoil the building.”

Another architect criticised the London Building Acts as out-of-date and irksome, and offering no lattitude in the preparation of plans. “No matter h-c>w deep and impregnable the foundations are,” he said, “or how substantial the construction, the restriction till stands.”

The question of ‘‘tall buildings,” wit'h particular reference to London, was discussed at a dinner, of the Architectural Club. Many eminent architects took part, but there were no decided advocates of the higher building, There were many phases Oi£ the problem to be considered, it was agreed—economical, social, and practical. The. general view was in favour of relaxing the restriction in wide ope;n sites and river frontage, and retaining them in congested areas.