Earlier today, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster asked the following question and supplementary question to the parliamentary spokesman for the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Committee, the Rt Hon Damian Hinds, in the House.
What steps the Sponsor Body has taken to ensure that local residents and businesses have been adequately consulted on the restoration and renewal programme.
The spokesman for the committee Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP responded:
The restoration and renewal programme has engaged regularly with neighbours and will continue to do so, especially at those moments with most opportunity for meaningful input. To date, it has included group sessions as well as meetings and briefings, including with Westminster City Council. Engagement with local businesses and residents—my hon. Friend’s constituents—will continue, particularly ahead of the submission of planning applications.
Nickie then asked the following supplementary question.
Is the Sponsor Body aware that, as well as the restoration and renewal programme, work on the UK holocaust memorial and learning centre will, subject to planning permission, be taking place in Victoria Tower Gardens from 2022 for at least three years?
Can the Sponsor Body give assurances that it will seek to ensure that there is minimum disruption to public access to the park from the combined and sequential effects of these two projects on this much loved local park?
Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP replied
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. Yes, the Sponsor Body is aware of the exceptionally important initiative that she mentions. As plans develop, the R and R programme will, of course, liaise closely with the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, the royal parks and others locally to carefully understand the impact of the different projects on the park, and how those impacts can be mitigated.
Nickie is keen to ensure that the ongoing works to Parliament cause the minimum amount of disruption for local people.
You can watch Nickie ask both her question and supplementary question above.
