RIBA has responded to the publication of the Restoration and Renewal Client Board’s costed proposals for the Palace of Westminster.
The report sets out delivery options, costs and timescales for the long-term restoration of the Palace, following Parliament’s approval of a Strategic Case in 2024 which concluded that the building can no longer be safely sustained through routine maintenance alone.
The proposals outline approaches to address fire safety, replacement of ageing mechanical and electrical systems, asbestos remediation, conservation of historic fabric, and improvements to accessibility, sustainability, and climate resilience.
Image credit - House of Commons
In response, Jack Pringle, Chair of the RIBA Board of Trustees, said: "The Palace of Westminster is one of the UK’s most iconic and important buildings and it needs significant work to ensure it is safe, accessible and conserved for future generations. The Palace’s Restoration and Renewal Board has published costed proposals for the work and they are extraordinary.
“Despite parliamentarians favouring staying in residence during the work, decanting would save £25 billion and 40 years. This cannot be ignored.
“Parliament must bite the bullet and take a lead from us at the RIBA. When we were faced with the necessity of renovating our listed HQ in Portland Place, we chose to fully evacuate the building, leaving the builders a clear run to do the fastest and most efficient refurbishment, thus delivering the best value for money outcome. Parliament must do the same. In addition to financial savings, a full decant will be safer, more secure, more accessible, carry a lower heritage risk and emit less carbon.
“The alternative of a six-decade-long refurbishment at huge cost runs the risk of being a fiasco and has serious risk implications.
“Of course, decanting poses the issue of temporary accommodation. The current proposal, the Northern Estate, is not fit for occupation at the moment and will likely provide cramped and disaggregated space, which will not be good for the smooth running of government, Parliament or its staff.
“Temporary occupation within a single new commercial office building should be considered, as it could offer secure, high-quality space for the two decades needed. If carefully designed, it could then revert to profitable commercial space.”
