Have your say on Richmond House demolition plans

7 November 2019 

The highly controversial proposals for the £1.6 billion demolition of grade II* listed Richmond House on Whitehall, central London have now been submitted for planning permission. 

The consultation period as part of the planning application process is open on Westminster City Council's website - and now is the time to make your voice heard.

How to comment effectively:

Use your own words and add your own personal reasons for supporting or opposing the development.

Quote the application reference: 19/08220/FULL.

Give your full name and postal address. You do not need to be a resident of Westminster City Council or of the United Kingdom to register a comment but unless you give your postal address your comment will be discounted

Be sure to state clearly whether you are SUPPORTING or OBJECTING to the application.

Where to send your comment

You can write an email to southplanningteam@westminster.gov.uk.

or comment on-line on Westminster's planning portal under reference 19/08220/FULL.

or you can send a letter to:  Pending Applications Development Planning City of Westminster PO Box 732 Redhill, RH1 9FL.

Background

Under the plans drawn up by Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal committee Richmond House, built just 30 years ago, is set to be demolished to make way for a new temporary chamber for MPs while the Palace of Westminster is being refurbished. It is part of a publicly funded £1.6bn rebuilding programme of the ‘Northern Estate.’ 

SAVE Britain’s Heritage regards the proposal to permanently demolish Richmond House to meet a temporary need is the most expensive, extravagant, and wasteful public sector proposal for years.  See our latest press release here.

SAVE has highlighted at least four alternative locations for the chamber within the parliamentary estate which would be less destructive, less expensive and more environmentally friendly than the current plans. See the outline of alternative sites here, and our report on Richmond House as an exemplar low-energy government office building.