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• Question by: Nicky Gavron
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

This is about tall buildings. First of all, high-rise in my understanding does not always mean high density. Because it depends on the planning. And I would like you to explain that a bit. And the second thing is, how do you respond to the MORI poll that found that most Londoners oppose the construction of high-rise buildings?

• Question by: Nicky Gavron
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

How do you respond to the MORI Poll that says that most Londoners oppose the construction of high-rise buildings?

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

Lord Rogers, you did mention Roehampton which is in my patch. I am not only a Wandsworth Councillor but a Putney Councillor. I have spent a lot of time in Roehampton and when it was built, I think by Herbert Morison, who had the view - rather paternalistic - that people who were desperate for homes did not mind living in matchboxes on top of each other as long as they could look out on a green aspect. Well I can assure you that really is not so. I have to say that Wandsworth Council has poured money into Roehampton...

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

That is helpful. One particular issue that concerns us already is the question of how we actually give developers incentives to build the sort of high quality and acceptable new developments that we want which are also affordable. I know that the Urban White Paper, in response to the Urban Task Force Report, argued that we would not get the urban renaissance that we are hoping to see without incentives for developers to build in the cities. What specific incentives should the Mayor be giving developers to build in London?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

Do you think that perhaps the way in which the targets for affordable housing are currently framed - 50% divided: 35% for rent, 15% for intermediate - is that likely to be an incentive or a disincentive to developers?

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

I am getting slightly confused, are you saying that through your work you are going to be recommending less space per person or more space per person as a standard for the sort of work that you are doing? My understanding is that the standards are set for minimum requirements for a family of X size -- are there no space/person requirements or are you going to set some? Well you said the standards in Holland, so maybe I misinterpreted you, gave a third more space. What did you mean? A third more space than what? And for how many...

• Question by: Lynne Featherstone
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

Okay, if this is the debate that we are going to be having, if actually one said that people needed less space internally, more space externally and more communal facilities in terms of shops or infrastructure or whatever, I mean that is social engineering of a sort, isn't it? I am just trying to test your thinking. You could say that in affordable housing or social housing - let's be controversial - people need less space and you can have smaller areas in which you live, well designed so you have got the quality you are talking about, and that...

• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

I was specifically referring of course to the fact that you play a link between investment in public transport and the reduction in car use. You are saying we need an awful lot more, so in your view an awful lot more needs to be done before you would see car use being reduced?

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

Lord Rogers, I was interested in your comments about the strategic views and about some sympathy with perhaps including some more modern views. My concern is I represent Islington and Hackney, and particularly from Islington you get very good views thanks to the protected view of St Paul's Cathedral. For many local residents, especially as you can imagine living on the 12th storey of a tower block, this view is very important. Perhaps going back I think to Angie Bray's point, do you think that - and picking up on John's point - do you think that a modern well...

• Question by: Meg Hillier
• Meeting date: 11 July 2001

I am thinking more generally really of the desire to see well designed tall buildings, a cluster of Manhattan type skyscrapers, a Chicago skyline in London. Now for the south of Islington, where lack of green space is a big issue, lack of amenity space is an issue, the view of St Paul's is a very important factor in the quality of life of many of those Londoners, many of the people I represent, and a beautiful skyscraper designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership may also be a wonderful view, but for many I fear that would not be acceptable...