The Worst Offenders - Trust Annual Report 1963
We started our report by drawing attention to two successful examples of new building. They are unfortunately outnumbered by several visually unsuccessful examples of building construction. They are the type of building justly stigmatised by John Betjeman as rent collecting slabs. As some of the accommodation in them is still standing empty; after a considerable period, they do not even seem to be performing that function properly. Very little consideration seems to have been given to scale, proportion, texture or colour.
In reviewing recent years one is bound to admit that more badly designed buildings have appeared than good ones. All the marks of history have not been erased, but the patient is getting in a very bad way, and must be given thoughtful and careful treatment to come round again.