The London Assembly Standards Committee has expressed serious concern over Richard Rogers’ role as Mayor for London Ken Livingstone’s adviser on Architecture and Urbanism.
Committee members are concerned that Rogers’ architecture firm, Richard Rogers Partnership, will work on GLA planning projects and that this could lead to a conflict of interest. Members want assurance that Lord Rogers’ advisory role is clearly defined and that he works strictly within the boundaries of his contract.
Jenny Jones, chair of Standards Committee, said: “The Committee wants to ensure transparency in the operation of Richard Rogers’ contract so any conflict of interest can be avoided. It is hoped that by making this process completely open, we can guarantee the highest ethical standards and avoid any abuse of privilege in future arrangements of this kind.”
The Committee has agreed on a trial period during which the independent Member of the Committee, Professor Malcolm Grant, will have access at all times to the list of sites and any relevant documents with which the Richard Rogers Partnership is involved. Grant will also have access to documents relating to the Architecture and Urbanism Unit’s involvement with London sites.
The news comes in the same week that Chelsfield conceded defeat in its attempt to build a landmark Richard Rogers tower on the second phase of its Paddington Basin scheme. Although the design for the 42-storey Grand Union building had won widespread architectural plaudits, it received withering criticism from Westminster and other anti-tower lobbies, who criticised it for dominating views northwards on Hyde Park.
Chelsfield’s chairman Elliot Bernerd said Rogers’ new design for the scheme would “maintain the original architectural rigour and much of the density”. It will comprise around 1m sq ft divided approximately into two-thirds commercial and one-third residential.
EGi News 07/09/01
