GLA making money from Public land

“Parliament Square may be used for filming, photo-shoots and photo-calls, subject to approval in advance. Organisations must submit an application and, if permission is granted, follow the GLA’s guidelines and observe the terms and conditions. Commercial fees for filming, photo shoots and photo calls on Parliament Square Garden are currently £300 + VAT per hour.”

This looks like another reason for not allowing members of the public onto public owned land. £300 per hour wouldn’t work if members of the public and tourists could simply enter this public space. Contact GLA and let them know what you think:

email parliament.square@london.gov.uk or telephone 0207 983 4750

Pedestrian Crossing For Parliament Square Could End Brian Haw Protest

June 2, 2011

It’s not as if Parliament Square is a featureless roundabout. The area contains numerous statues, including Churchill and Mandella, as well as a well-tended lawn and flower beds. It also offers some of the best vantage points for snapping the Houses of Parliament. Then, of course, there’s the protest camp. London legend Brian Haw pitched his tent opposite parliament 10 years ago. His supporters are still there, although Haw is currently absent for medical reasons.

Westminster Council are finally planning to install a crossing, from the corner between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. But they also want Haw & Co. to shift. According to Council Leader Colin Barrow: For too long this camp has dominated the square which should be available for all. We of course, support the right to protest and will continue to do so, but the camping out for years on end has turned the area into an eyesore. I think they have made their point and now is the time to reclaim the square for all Londoners and their visitors once and for all.”

Parliament Square protesters to be evicted as Boris Johnson triumphs

Mr Justice Griffith Williams said that in reaching his decision to exclude them from the Gardens, the Mayor “directed himself correctly, considered all the relevant matters and reached a reasoned decision which cannot be criticised”. The court is continuing to consider other matters, including whether the eviction of the protesters should be delayed. At a hearing in London earlier this month, Ashley Underwood QC told the judge that the case concerned a “collision of rights”.

Counsel said that the site was classified in English Heritage’s register of parks and gardens of special historical interest and directly abutted the World Heritage site of Westminster Palace and Westminster Abbey. “In bringing this claim, the Mayor does not seek to minimise the vital importance of the right to free speech and assembly and protest, especially in such a significant location and in such a vibrant city as this. “Rather, what he seeks to achieve is to safeguard the rights of the majority to use and enjoy Parliament Square Gardens and bid to prevent the abrogation to themselves of such a place by a small minority, however well-intentioned.”

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Section 384

Parliament Square

(1)The land comprised in the site of the central garden of Parliament Square (which, at the passing of this Act, is vested in the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) is by this subsection transferred to and vested in Her Majesty as part of the hereditary possessions and revenues of Her Majesty.

(2)Nothing in subsection (1) above affects—

(a)any sewers, cables, mains, pipes or other apparatus under that site, or

(b)any interest which was, immediately before the passing of this Act, vested in London Regional Transport or any of its subsidiaries.

(3)The care, control, management and regulation of the central garden of Parliament Square shall be functions of the Authority.

(4)It shall be the duty of the Authority well and sufficiently to light, cleanse, water, pave, repair and keep in good order and condition the central garden of Parliament Square.

(5)The functions conferred or imposed on the Authority by this section are in addition to any other functions of the Authority.

(6)In consequence of the preceding provisions of this section, any functions of the Secretary of State under or by virtue of section 22 of the M1Crown Lands Act 1851 (duties and powers of management in relation to the royal parks, gardens and possessions there mentioned), so far as relating to the whole or any part of the central garden of Parliament Square, shall determine.

(7)Subsections (3) and (4) above shall have effect notwithstanding any law, statute, custom or usage to the contrary.

(8)Any functions conferred or imposed on the Authority by virtue of this section shall be functions of the Authority which are exercisable by the Mayor acting on behalf of the Authority.

(9)In this section “the central garden of Parliament Square” means the site in Parliament Square on which the Minister of Works was authorised by the M2Parliament Square (Improvement) Act 1949 to lay out the garden referred to in that Act as “the new central garden”.