Covent Garden Area Trust

Outrage in the Piazza! sounds like a suitably operatic title for describing what happened in central Covent Garden last summer. After many years of friendship and shared vision, a difference of opinion arose between the Covent Garden Area Trust and Guardian Properties, freeholders of the Central Market.

The bone of contention was a Masterplan introduced by Guardian. The company had recently been taken over by first, Axa (a French company) and then Aegon, a Dutch conglomerate. Although the Masterplan contained many sensitive and sensible suggestions for restoring and updating the Market, it also put forward plans to bump-up the Market's revenue by greatly increasing the outdoor seating as well as dotting the Piazza with "heritage" kiosks (like grandiose potting sheds) selling goods. These ideas were at odds with the Trust's Environmental Study of Central Covent Garden which is used as planning guidance for the area. Trustees, residents, local businesses, Westminster's planners and councillors were alarmed not just at the blocking of well-loved views across the Square, but also at the sheer density of crowds that could have resulted.

The final straw was a scheme to move the rubbish collection to the south side. This really got up the noses of those who would be most affected - including Jubilee Market Hall - and led to a robust protest from the rooftops - from the inhabitants of Driscoll House.

The controversial plans were withdrawn and this January the Market was put up for sale. As well as taking advice on raising the asking price of £80 million themselves, the Trustees have been keen to encourage potential buyers who would take a thoughtful, long-term view of such a rare and elegant listed building right in the historic heart of London. With 138 years of headlease still to run on the Covent Garden Protected Lands (which includes the Market and the Museums block), the Trustees would rather be planning for an interesting, creative future than clashing over inappropriate schemes.

For more information do visit the Trust's website on www.cgareatrust.org.uk or ring the Administrator, Leana Pooley, on 020 7497 9245.

Leana Pooley

 

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