Barracks plan to be reconsidered

Lord Rogers' design was deemed "unsympathetic" by the prince

Developers of a £1bn complex in Chelsea say they are "willing to listen" to critics of the plan, which was called "unsuitable" by Prince Charles.

Developer Qatari Diar plans to build 552 flats in 17 blocks on the former Chelsea barracks site in west London.

Prince Charles told Qatar's royal family that the modernist glass and steel design was "unsympathetic".

Westminster City Council said it would meet the Middle Eastern developer to resolve the issues raised.

The Prince of Wales criticised architect Lord Rogers' design for the former barracks site, near the River Thames, in March.

'Destructive' intervention

The prince told representatives of the Qatari royal family that he preferred an alternative classical design for the site by architect Quinlan Terry.

Qatari Diar is owned by the Qatari Investment Authority, which is headed by the country's prime minister.

Some architects, including Stirling prize-winners Will Alsop and Chris Wilkinson, said the prince threatened the "democratic process" with a "destructive" intervention in a planning process.

On Tuesday, Westminster City Council leader Colin Barrow said Qatari Diar's desire to resolve the issues was "very encouraging".

Of course, if we were invited by Qatari Diar to participate in a more open process we'd be happy to join in Hank Dittmar, Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment

"It shows a willingness to listen in order to arrive at the right solution, which we welcome and we will be meeting with the Qataris in the coming weeks to take this forward," Mr Barrow said.

"This is all part and parcel of the planning process and it is important they are satisfied with their final plans before we consider whether or not to grant formal planning permission."

The planning committee is due to examine the Chelsea barracks scheme on 18 June.

A Clarence House spokeswoman declined to comment.

The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment works with developers to promote the prince's design and ecological ideas.

Its chief executive Hank Dittmar said: "Of course, if we were invited by Qatari Diar to participate in a more open process we'd be happy to join in.

"If we did so, we would work from our core principle of involving local community and local stakeholders in the design process."