Enclosures Green
SIR,—I was most interested to read John Betjeman's article 'Enclosures Green' (June 10). His comments on the selfishness and insensitivity of the twentieth century over landscaping have direct bearing on
Wanstead Park, one of the best examples of Nature methodised in the Greater London area; here the 'longing for wildness' and the 'vistas of seeming endlessness' are fully realised. However, every impressive view, especially that from the site where Wanstead House used to stand looking down towards the lake, is now marred by the unsightly intrusion of giant pylons, which are not only in themselves ugly but also throw out of line the careful compositions designed under the patronage of Sir Josiah Child and his son, Lord Newtown.
I am aware that laying cables underground is nearly twelve times as expensive as having them strung on pylons, but I would have thought that for about a mile here the extra cost would be worthwhile. I am surprised that the City of London Corporation, usually so vigilant, allowed the erection of the pylons with so little fuss; local opinon was overridden, and, besides, Wanstead residents are very busily engaged in saving or redeeming the Georgian and Victorian buildings of merit in the area, most of which are threatened with redevelop- ment.
• G. J. B. BUTLIN
55 Eagle Court, Wanstead, London, Eli
Previous page
