The point on which the nation itself must come to
a decision is the method of compensation. Beauty is value ; for some people will give immense sums for the right to spoil it. The private owner who sees his acres acquiring building- site value will ultimately yield, either himself or his successors. The councils may not have the money to buy at once ; and it seems unjust to rob a man of his approaching profits by scheduling potential building land as a permanent open space. A compromise is possible. A large number of private owners (to whom Lord Astor and Lord Desborough have given a stimulating lead) are ready to have their acres so scheduled. All that is necessary for a wide acceptance of the regional plan that so prohibits " development," in its base and technical sense, is some standing arrangement with the authorities who assess for death duties. We have had a particular example this week on the Thames itself of the generous and eager assistance of land owners. Colonel Ffennell has co-operated with the scheme to make a great boulevard along the 143 by Godstow ; and his gift may be compared with the offers of Lord Astor and Lord Desborough when the first great survey was composed by Professors Abercrombie and Adshead, and Lord Mayo of the Thames from Cricklade to Staines on behalf of the Thames branch of the C.P.R.E.
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