Sir, Today Westminster planning committee will consider an application for transforming the Edwardian Middlesex Guildhall in Parliament Square, London, into a home for Britain’s proposed new supreme court. These proposals involve the vandalising of the interiors of a distinguished Grade II* listed building with its carved stone, plasterwork, oak roofs, panelling and furniture; tiles, stained glass, electroliers and numerous irreplaceable details from door furniture to clothes hooks.
Particularly impressive is the excellent woodwork, executed by the leading Glasgow firm Wylie & Lochhead, who were associated with the greatest days of Glasgow prosperity, employing distinguished designers such as E. A. Taylor, George Logan and John Ednie.
The proposals involved the flattening out and reorientation of the former council chamber and the gutting of another court into a library. As a pathetic act of reparation it is proposed to retain selected elements in a basement museum. Surely the obvious answer is for the supreme court to be housed elsewhere and for the present, sympathetic use of the building as a court to continue.
SIMON SWYNFEN JERVIS
London W8