Parliament is set to debate new proposals that would see the House of Commons and Lords moved onto a floating barge in the Thames, as the cost of repairing the Victorian palace soars.
A group backed by senior Conservative Craig Mackinlay will propose the new ‘Waterside’ development proposal to a panel of parliament in charge of the Restoration and Renewal process.
The Waterside proposal would see both houses of parliament decant into a gloss floating platform parked on the Thames next to the current parliamentary estate, something its proponents say would be cheaper and quicker than alternative options.
Debate has raged for years about whether MPs and or Peers should move out of the 19th century UNESCO World Heritage site in order to bring down the cost and speed of much-needed repairs.
However the group proposing the ‘Waterside’ option warn that alternative proposals such as moving the Commons and Lords out to pre-existing venues such as Richmond House and the QEII centre would “take years to develop, has significant security concerns and will result in a high cost to the taxpayer.”
The Waterside proponents suggest their grand floating barge on the Thames could be built in just two years following planning approval, resulting in less disruption and cost.
The Waterside ‘base’ would be constructed away from the central London river, before barges drag them to the site and set them in place, something the lobbyists say would provide a lower carbon footprint than other restoration proposals.
It would also feature bullet and blast-proof glass in order to ensure safety of parliamentarians and staff, as well as barriers to stop MPs falling in the Thames.
To sweeten the proposal, the Waterside project then proposes turning the building into housing after parliament’s renovation has finished and MPs move back into the Commons.
They suggest the total cost of the zany plan would be around £60 million a year, representing a £1 billion saving over the course of the programme compared to rival plans.
The team behind Waterside are comprised of engineering, design and security boffins who have previous worked on projects including the 2012 Olympics, the Royal Opera House, Portcullis House, and Hinkley Point C.
It has already secured the backing of top Tory Lord Mackinlay, who said he is “urging the Committee to explore every option to reduce costs and expedite the process.”
“I will be asking the Committee to take a fresh look at the novel idea of a new Parliament in the Thames, known as Waterside, which could be the quickest and most cost-effective solution for the renewal of the Houses of Parliament.”
“I have been briefed on the Waterside proposal, and it passes my assessment of being worthy of looking at in greater detail as a serious contender on cost and timing grounds.
“Further, it satisfies ‘on estate’ continuity albeit under an innovative plan. Also preferable in my view than attempting to repurpose inappropriate buildings at vast cost away from the Palace location.”
Project lead Svein Kjelstrup Olsen described his Waterside vision as “a world first”.
“A zero carbon Parliament building that would be powered entirely by renewables, and which would be repurposed at the end of its life for housing.
“This is a win-win for the Government and Parliament. It would spur growth, create a new London landmark, and allow the long-delayed work to start to protect the historic Palace of Westminster. It’s time for politicians to be bold and act.”
