20 Nov 2008

Sir Terry Farrell has been appointed by London Mayor Boris Johnson to lead on design issues on the Mayor's new Outer London Commission currently being set up under the chairmanship, William McKee.

The remit of the Outer London Commission is to advise the Mayor on the London Plan and other policies to ensure outer London “realises its full potential”.
The new Commission will identify up to five areas to become outer London growth hubs. The aim is to pinpoint successful town centres with the potential to improve further and support their development through the Mayor's London Plan and other policies. This will ensure existing vibrant town centres play their full role in guaranteeing the continued success of London’s economy.

The Commission will also showcase examples of town centre excellence, by looking at best practices which have contributed to the success of our existing outer London town centres, to inform the Mayor’s future policy development. It will report back to the Mayor in 2009.

Sir Terry Farrell said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed by the Mayor to this important position. London’s outer boroughs cannot afford to be overlooked as they contain some of the most important drivers of London’s future success.

“The successful development of outer London depends upon careful thoughts being given to design and planning issues, and Boris Johnson has shown that he takes those issues very seriously. In looking at outer London it is important, of course, to look at London as a whole and that is how I intend to help the Mayor and the Commission as it develops real projects for the benefit of the capital.

“I’m privileged to be asked by Boris Johnson to play such a vital role on the future of London and I am looking forward to working with William McKee and fellow commissioners.”



London Architects

Outer London Commission architect : Terry Farrell

Sir Terry Farrell CBE is an architect and urban designer with a global reputation and is considered to be Britain’s most successful architectural masterplanner with offices in London, Edinburgh and Hong Kong. In practice for over forty years, he has completed iconic, award-winning buildings and masterplans in cities including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Hong Kong and Beijing.

In 2007 he was appointed by the Government as design champion for the Thames Gateway Parklands, and published a Vision for the Thames Gateway Parklands in October.

The Mayor’s Outer London Commission will have up to 12 members which will be announced early in 2009 as will its terms of reference once agreed with the Chair.

William McKee is a former Director General of the British Property Federation and former Chief Executive of Merton Council. He is currently Chairman of Tilfen Land and the Urban Exposure Group and chairs the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation.



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Outer London Commission - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt