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29
BUILDING LINE IN ST. GEORGE'S ROAD.
In the early part of 1899, a proposal was made by the Trustees
f the Hayles Estate, for the extension of the " Prince of Wales "
Public-house over the forecourt in St. George's Road. The Vestry,
however, intimated to the London County Council their disapproval
of the proposal, and the Council, after inquiring into the matter,
letermined to oppose the erection of the extension of the publichouse.
The owners of the property, however, contended that they
had a right to build in accordance with a plan approved by the Metro???olitan
Board of Works about 20 years ago; and the Vestry were a
little surprised to hear, in October, 1899, that the Building Acts
Committee of the Council had consented to the plan. The Council,
however, on that occasion referred it back to the Committee for
further consideration.
A deputation was then appointed to wait upon the Committee of
the Council, when it was pointed out by the Committee that they had
obtained Counsel's opinion to the effect that the Council had no
power to prevent the owners of the property bringing the line of
building out to the front of the forecourt in St. George's road.
The Vestry Clerk was instructed to obtain from the Council a
copy of the opinion and the plans upon which it was founded, and
after giving careful consideration to the matter, the Vestry took the
opinion of Mr. Macmorren, Q.C., upon the question.
In the meantime it was ascertained that the Trustees of the
Hayles Estate had pulled down the houses between Hayles Street and
the " Gibraltar " Public-house, and proposed to erect buildings on the
site. The Vestry accordingly directed notice to be served on the
Superintending Architect of the London County Council, requiring
him, under Section 22 of the London Building Acb, 1894, to detine by
certificate the general line of buildings on the south side of St.
George's Road, between Elliott's Row and Ely Place.
The Superintending Architect considered the matter on the 12th
December, when the Vestry and the owners were represented. As,
however, the building site in question (the " Prince of wales Public
house) was in the block of buildings between Hayles Street and west
Square, the Superintending Architect held that he had no power to lay
down the building line in any part of St. Georges Load other than