Prince Charles's interest in architecture and urban planning

[Skydragon]

Ms Reed, the first woman president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), inferred that he had used his royal status to interfere in the "democratic process".
She also alleged he had written letters "behind the scenes" to make his opinions known on certain architects and building projects

Prince Charles has 'abused his position' to influence planning process, architect claims - Telegraph

"There appears to be evidence he has written behind the scenes both about planning applications and also about the appointment of particular architects, which would be an abuse of his position, definitely".

Isn't that what every champion for 'the people' does Ms Reed and isn't it a great pity the planners won't listen. The compulsory purchases of family homes, to enable an American businessman to build a golf course in Aberdeen is a case in point?

[BellaFay]

I quite agree, especially as Prince Charles's 1 letter to the developer on the Chelsea Barracks site was just one of hundreds that were sent by people complaining about the proposal. So why should he be criticised for exercising his right to complain. After all unlike the rest of us he can't vote.

[Iluvbertie]

Actually legally Charles can vote.
Like the rest of the RF who can vote (except for the Queen) they choose not to do so but they do have that right.
He also has the right to write letters and let his concerns, beliefs and feelings known while he is POW but once he becomes King he looses those rights.

[Skydragon]

Prince Charles is coming in for a lot of stick for allegedly abusing his position to promote his own ideas about what makes good architecture.

Architects must not be allowed to silence Prince Charles - Investigations

Prince Charles has launched an attack on "short-term thinking" in urban design and called for an end to "suburban sprawl".

In the forward to the annual review of the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, which was released Thursday, the prince calls for greater efforts to be made to design sustainable homes within "dense, mixed-use, walkable developments".

Read more: Prince Charles calls for end to 'suburban sprawl' - Building Design

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

She also alleged he had written letters "behind the scenes"

How else does one write a letter? Take out a half-page ad in The Times?

[Skydragon]

http://www.planningresource.co.uk/ne...-intervention/

Westminster City Council has stepped in to defend Prince Charles's involvement in the redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks.

He said: "Contrary to Ms Reed's comments the Prince has not derailed the democratic planning process but has actually encouraged a healthy debate which is part and parcel of the planning process.

"Our democratically elected planning committee, which is the accountable body for these decisions, would have considered all views without fear or favour.

"Nearly 500 people wrote in to the council to make their views known. Indeed, Prince Charles's comments may well have empowered people to enter the debate as it made them aware that planning is not some mysterious process behind closed doors, but is conducted in public and everyone is entitled to a view, be they a peer of the realm, a prince or a private citizen.

"I want to assure Ms Reed that Westminster City Council would have had regard to all the views expressed to us, from whatever quarter, alongside the professional advice from our own planning officers, had the committee gone ahead.

"In one respect it is a shame Qatari Diar withdrew before the date of the planning committee, but they were more than aware of the weight of public opinion and a very well organised campaign by local people who had been galvanised into action."

He added: "In due course the local community will be invited for their views on new proposals and the developers have already indicated they wish to involve them from the outset.

[Marsel]

Architects must not be allowed to silence Prince Charles

Prince Charles is coming in for a lot of stick for allegedly abusing his position to promote his own ideas about what makes good architecture.
This might not normally be our patch, but having just come across an extreme example of shocking building design I feel the need to stick my oar in.

[Skydragon]

Instead of brawling with architects over designs he doesn't like, perhaps Prince Charles would like to use his clout in favour of buildings like this? It's the new St Mungo's homeless hostel in Hither Green, which replaces a dingy old one that the architect Peter Barber describes as "hideous, dark and claustrophobic".

Modernist Hostel Offers Hope For Homeless - Londonist
----------------------
OMG, IMO it is awful, When I first saw it I thought it was the stage for a 'come and gawk at the homeless' show.

[susan alicia]

BBC NEWS | UK | England | London | Watchdog probes Prince's charity

[Al_bina]

Prince of Wales accused of using charity as architecture lobby firm - Times Online

The Prince of Wales’s architecture charity is under investigation by regulators after a complaint that it is acting as his “private lobby firm”. The Charity Commission has asked the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment to explain its relationship with the heir to the throne, amid concerns that it had gone beyond its remit as a registered charity and tried to influence a number of planning decisions.

[Skydragon]

Social housing tenants could soon be living in state-of-the-art green homes built from natural materials such as clay, hemp and sheep's wool, which are being pioneered as part of Prince Charles' campaign to create beautiful sustainable property.

Housing: One day, all houses will be built this way | Society | The Guardian

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

The Prince of Wales’s architecture charity is under investigation by regulators after a complaint that it is acting as his “private lobby firm”. The Charity Commission has asked the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment to explain its relationship with the heir to the throne, amid concerns that it had gone beyond its remit as a registered charity and tried to influence a number of planning decisions.

The Charity Commission has concluded its investigation into the relationship between Prince Charles and his charity, the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment

Charles in clear after charity probe - Development Control - Log in to PlanningResource

The move followed a complaint by anti-monarchy group Republic which questioned the independence of the charity and whether it was acting for the public good or pursuing Charles's own personal agenda.

However in a statement today the Commission said it was "satisfied" that the complaints alleging that the charity was undertaking activities which fall outside of its charitable objects were not founded.

The Prince of Wales did not use his architectural charity as a "political lobby group", the Charity Commission has ruled

Prince Charles 'did not use architectural charity as lobby group' - Telegraph

[Sereta]

I'm glad he was cleared of this.

[Skydragon]

In a wide-ranging interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Bradshaw delivered a thinly-veiled warning to Prince Charles over his opposition to contemporary designs.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw warns Prince Charles on modern architecture - Telegraph

Ben who?????

[Emeralds and Opals]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/6434129/Prince-of-Wales-backs-civic-campaign-to-tidy-Britains-streets.html

[Skydragon]

For a man with more homes than most — as well as Highgrove and Clarence House, there is Birkhall in Scotland and a farmhouse in Carmarthenshire — there is a certain boldness in the assertion that, when it comes to architecture, the Prince of Wales is a man of the people. But that is what his acolytes would have the world believe

http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle6901754.ece

[Lumutqueen]

Prince Charles may face court over his ¿intervention¿ in £3bn plan for Chelsea Barracks | Mail Online
Prince of Wales could be asked to appear in court over role in Chelsea Barracks row - Telegraph

[Patra]

I seriously doubt Prince Charles will have to appear in court over this. I like that he is involved in "sympathetic architecture" the world has enough ugly buildings.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Patra

I seriously doubt Prince Charles will have to appear in court over this. I like that he is involved in "sympathetic architecture" the world has enough ugly buildings.

I would like to point out that there is a precedent for the Prince of Wales to appear in court - namely the divorce hearing for Lady Mordaunt (sp) in the early 1870s when the then PoW (later Edward VII) had to appear to answer for his conduct.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Charles is subpoened to answer for his actions.

Personally I don't see anything wrong with what he did but one good thing that could come out of this is a court ruling that clarifies the ways in which members of the royal family can pressure groups/councils/governments etc. I am sure that we all know that they are supposed to be apolitical but what exactly does that mean and to whom does that really apply - the monarch definitely but to whom else? I wonder for instance if the idea of William and Harry wishing to serve on the front line indicate support for the government's war? I am aware that there may be other interpretations but could an opposition argue that the royals are supporting the government officially through their actions? These

[wbenson]

Prince Charles' aide accused of new bid to wreck plans for Chelsea barracks | Mail Online

The Prince of Wales was facing fresh accusations last night of sabotaging the controversial £1billion redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks.

It was revealed that his most senior aide took part in a key discussion with the owners of the site - members of the Qatari royal family - and councillors from the Westminster planning authority.