Andrea Leadsom: Notre Dame fire proves urgent need for Parliament to be restored
2 min read
The devastating Notre Dame Cathedral blaze showed that MPs must get on with approving the restoration of Parliament, Andrea Leadsom has said.
The Commons Leader spoke out as new laws aimed at preventing a similar inferno hitting the Palace of Westminster were introduced.
The legislation will set out how the multi-billion pound restoration of the iconic building will be governed.
Estimates have put the cost of the project at between £3.5bn and £5.6bn, with MPs set to decant to a temporary debating chamber in Richmond House, the former headquarters of the Department of Health.
According to the bill, a body similar to the one that oversaw the 2012 London Olympics will be set up to oversee the process, as well as two separate groups to keep an eye on costs.
Ms Leadsom said: “Events like the terrible fire at Notre Dame bring home to us sharply the importance of preserving our historic buildings.”
Senior Commons sources said last month's Notre Dame blaze, which destroyed the spire of the iconic building and most of its roof, was the “final push over the line” to get the Westminster renovation plan underway.
“Notre Dame is much more than just a cathedral, it’s a real global icon. And if that is the case, how much more is this a global icon?" they said. "It’s the seat of our democracy; it’s one of the most famous buildings in the world.”
They added: “It would be the most unbelievable tragedy to see it go up in flames.”
The body that will oversee the renovation will produce a business plan including full costings, with MPs and peers expected to move out of the Palace in the mid-2020s.
They would likely have to wait until the early-2030s before they are allowed back into the newly restored building.
CAR PARK ROW
Meanwhile, the sacking of former defence secretary Gavin Williamson may have saved the project hundreds of millions of pounds after it ended a stand-off that had developed over a Ministry of Defence carpark.
A recent report suggested the MoD was resisting calls for the car park to be used for construction purposes during the refurb.
But sources said that since Mr Williamson was dumped by Theresa May - for allegedly leaking a top security briefing - the issue had died down.
"We were extremely concerned that the MOD car park had been incredibly precious but it’s becoming less precious as the days pass," they said.
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