Some of the squares are owned and maintained by the
L.C.C., the City Corporation and the Borough Councils, but all the rest are owned privately. Such open spaces, where a foot of building land is precious, provide the owners with a strong temptation to sell. To the credit of the owners, be it said, there have not been many attempts to deprive the public of these spaces which give a sense of openness to London, even when they are surrounded by railings with locked gates. Still, as recent instances show, there is a danger that the excellent tradition of private ownership is by no means a sufficient protection. We heartily agree with Mr. Hunt that statutory safeguards should be created in a matter where the public advantage vastly outweighs private interest. For the time being this protection of the private squares should not be confused with the movement to throw them open as recreation grounds. The latter policy should be applied gradually to the squares which are ceasing to be residential.
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