Lord Rogers and John Gummer MP endorse Trust policy - TrustNews Spring 2000
When we first approached Richard Rogers to speak at the AGM, he was very enthusiastic to support our approach to the future of the City because it paralleled that of the Urban Task Force and would have provided an, ideal opportunity to promote both, and further, a chance to emphasise that a city as historically important as Winchester, needs design qualities of an especially high standard. Unfortunately, the pressures of promoting the Task Force report caused him to withdraw, but he did write the following endorsement which sets out the key issues. John Gummer, who we then approached, was also unavailable on the date of the AGM but agreed to talk on the 6 April and also sent a letter to be read out at the AGM, which is printed below. Robin Nicholson, who stepped in at the last minute to give a very interesting talk, added to the general thrust of concern that, in spite of the efforts of individuals in some City Planning Departments, City authorities across the country, are failing to create future plans that have vision and quality, and back them with the necessary political will to be carried out.
Letter from Lord Rogers - TrustNews Spring 2000
One of the key questions of the Urban Task Force has been: How can we improve the quality of our towns and cities?
During our work we have collected some evidence that people respond positively to beauty and design-excellence in cities. Attractive and beautiful cities can be achieved but only by guiding the quality of the space of the public realm, its architectural form and the materials with which it is made. Such an approach does not require substantial new funding but the willingness of architects, planners, politicians and citizens to develop an integrated and strategic approach towards making our cities more attractive, sustainable and well connected.
Therefore, we have to develop, in our cities, a strong and informed civic leadership on the one hand and re-write our existing planning rules and regulations on the other. At the moment the regulations, and the way we interpret them, are one of the main barriers to achieving the quality necessary for the higher density and mixed use required of urban areas.
The Urban Task Force has made the point that we have the opportunity to make our regulations a facilitator of change and innovation and create cities with a new equilibrium between society, nature and culture. This aim is achievable, if all the actors involved with the future of our cities re-think their approach to this balance of qualities.
Letter from The Rt. Hon John Gummer MP - TrustNews Spring 2000
I am sorry not to be able to be with you but I send my congratulations and best wishes for your continued efforts to save and enhance the environment of one of the great cities of Europe. May I just suggest three dangers which are increasingly thrust upon us.
First, the attempt to justify bad planning and bad design by traditional sounding names. In Durham, a city compared b Pevsner to Prague, they diddled the planners with a grotesque shopping development called the Prince Bishop Centre. I hardly need remind you in a city still scarred by the historic sounding Wessex Hotel. Even Ethelred would have been ready to stop a building which affords for its guests a marvellous view of the Cathedral and then destroys it for every-one else!
Secondly, beware the highways experts. It is still true that they make demands of development which destroy sensitive infilling and sensible improvement. They want minor roads and lanes to be built to a size to accommodate traffic which will never use them and they demand splays which destroy the townscape.
Thirdly, the profusion of signs and the extension of lines is an increasing menace. We need to rid all conservation areas of yellow parking lines and a real clear-out of signs everywhere. Much of what we have we don't need and what we need is often badly sited and designed.