Planning Bill

I am an architect, so let me first refer Members of the Committee to my various interests, all of which are listed in the Register of Lords’ Interests. I add my support to this group of amendments put forward by my noble friends Lord Howarth and Lady Whitaker and I congratulate them on the content of their speeches. I am delighted to hear the support that design has had today. There is general agreement that design affects the quality of life and that good design adds value. As Winston Churchill said: "““We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us””." Infrastructure is the central part of the built environment, and Britain has a great tradition of good design. To me, the Victorian engineering tradition produced the most interesting and innovative architecture of the 19th century—consider the work of Brunel. One needs only to look at the beautiful bridges that cross the Thames, or the train stations such as St Pancras and Paddington. As we have heard, good design does not have to cost more, but it certainly adds long-term value. Today, Foster’s breathtaking Millau bridge over the River Tarn in the Massif Central has revitalised the area and become a tourist attraction. His Beijing airport not only functions brilliantly but has lifted the spirit of many millions of travellers who passed through there during the Olympics. Let me correct one small point in the speech of my noble friend Lord Howarth. It was I—or, rather, my practice—who did Madrid. It was a delightful experience, which had much to do with the client. Although we have many contemporary architects in Britain, unfortunately nearly all the well designed infrastructure work is done abroad. This is a shameful waste of talent. I finish by quoting the oath of citizenship pledged by the ancient Athenians. They said: "““We will leave this city not less but greater, better and more beautiful than it was left to us””." If today we consider the Hellenic period the mother of all western culture and design, then we should follow their example and put design at the very heart of our nation’s culture. The best infrastructure, buildings and public spaces are critical for our culture.