Richmond House back in contention for temporary Commons chamber

Richmond House on Whitehall

The body behind the Restoration & Renewal of Parliament has confirmed that building a temporary Commons chamber, lobbies and offices in Richmond House is still on the cards if MPs adopt the “full decant” option.

But the Restoration & Renewal Client Board said revised proposals - which have not been made public - would involve “significantly less demolition and impact to the façade” than the previous proposals.

SAVE campaigned against the 2018 plans to demolish most of William Whitfield’s grade II*-listed,1980s building on Whitehall.

A full decant of Parliament is one of three options reportedly set to be put to a vote next year.

We will be watching developments closely.

Notes to editors:

1. For more information contact Elizabeth Hopkirk: elizabeth.hopkirk@savebritainsheritage.org / 020 7253 3500.

2. SAVE has been fighting for Richmond House for several years and managed to see off highly destructive proposals in 2018. Read our last press release. Read Marcus Binney on 'a building worth fighting for'.

3. SAVE Britain’s Heritage is an independent voice in conservation that fights for threatened historic buildings and sustainable reuses. We stand apart from other organisations by bringing together architects, engineers, planners and investors to offer viable alternative proposals. Where necessary, and with expert advice, we take legal action to prevent major and needless losses. Our success stories range from Smithfield Market in London and Wentworth Woodhouse stately home in Yorkshire, to a Lancashire bowls club and the Liverpool terraces where Ringo Starr grew up.