Zoning London for Heights.
The L.C.C. must be congratulated on passing its new scheme for controlling the height of buildings in London. The county is to be divided into three zones, with three categories for height (dwelling houses, other residential buildings, and commercial or industrial buildings) in each.-- In-the inner'zone the heights will be 60 ft., 80 ft., and 100 ft. respectively ; in the middle zone, 40 ft., 60 ft., and 80 ft. ; and in the outer, 40 ft., 40 ft., and 60 ft. The most foolish thing ever done in regard to London building was the Building Act of a few years ago, which raised the height (to the cornice) from 80 ft. to 100 ft. It made a free gift to every site-owner equivalent to 25 per cent. extra site, and cast a potential 25 per cent. extra traffic on the streets without taking a • penny towards street-widening. Hence the recent demolition of so many fine buildings in London, and the new irregu- larities of sky-line which (as round St. Paul's or in St. - James's Square) are defacing so many of the best parts-4 central London. The new plan cannot repair this mischief at the centre, and does not try. But its scheme for an. orderly zoning outward will do much to save the beSt suburbs, provided always that future L.C.C.'s do not sabotage it.
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