Architecture Update: Plea for the South Bank

A SOUTH Bank Group has been formed to fight the redevelopment of the London arts complex with offices as well as new arts facilities. The Department of the Environment has refused to list the existing buildings, thus paving the way for rebuilding.

The group includes Patrick Heron, the painter; Theo Crosby, professor of architecture at the Royal College of Art; Derek Sugden, the acoustic engineer; and Ian Lacey, former chief planning officer at Westminster City Council.

It is chaired by the architect Trevor Dannatt, a professor at the Royal Academy, whose president, Roger de Grey, also supports the retention of the existing buildings. Mr de Grey says: 'I am all for evolution of buildings of this quality, but certainly not demolition, particularly if they are to be replaced by the ever-encroaching office block. This is not a desirable development for the South Bank.'

Further information from the South Bank Group, c/o Arts & Architecture Projects, 62 Cole Park Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 1HU.