Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker when the House of Lords Commission was given copies of the planned design for the steel fencing outside the House of Lords, the heritage impact assessment required by UNESCO and the report given to Westminster City Council by English Heritage; and when the temporary permission for the fencing was changed from five years to 10.

A paper presenting an options appraisal for approaches to an interim fence between Abingdon Street and Old Palace Yard was presented to the House of Lords Commission in November 2023. Four options for the fence included, including images of each in use at other locations and a summary of their potential heritage or planning risks, costs, and security benefits.

A paper containing further information about the design, appearance, and functionality of the fence was presented to the House of Lords Commission in May 2024. Four 3D rendered images, and an ariel plan of the layout, were included at this time.

A Heritage Impact Assessment was prepared by Strategic Estates' Heritage Consultant as part of the planning application. This was not shared with the Commission in full but did form part of the submission to Westminster City Council. Historic England's consultee response to the planning application was not shared with the Commission.

Seeking either a five or ten-year planning consent was considered, with input from Westminster City Council. The formal planning application was made for a period of ten years.