Higher Buildings in London The London County Council is promoting
legislation to increase the maximum permissible height of buildings from 100 feet to 150 feet, with a classification of buildings into grades according to height and provision against fire. The increasing value of sites in central London and the use of steel and concrete in construction have brought us inevitably to the demand for higher buildings. Nor is there any valid objection to increased height as long as there are adequate safeguards, first, in respect of fire, and second in respect of light. The permitted height ought always to bear a certain relation to, the width of the adjacent street or the surrounding space. If greater height is desired in a narrow road, it should be permitted on condition that the frontage is set back from the road, but not otherwise. When the buildings around Oxford Circus were recently rebuilt it would have been a great advantage in respect of traffic and no disadvantage in respect of light if they had been set back and built higher. The existing regulations are out of date. * *
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