Architects unite to fire barracks salvo at Prince

THE Prince of Wales has come under renewed fire from the world's leading architects over his attempt to interfere in the Chelsea barracks development.

The architects, who include Lord Foster, Zaha Hadid and Renzo Piano, have condemned his "behind-the-scenes lobbying" to scrap Lord Rogers's modern glass and steel designs for the site.

In an open letter, they criticise the Prince for using his "privileged position to intervene in one of the most significant residential projects likely to be built in London in the next five years".

Their letter follows reports that the prince has persuaded the Qatari royal family, the project's developers, to consider a more traditional brick and stone design, which he argues would be more in keeping with the adjacent Royal Hospital, by Sir Christopher Wren.

The letter reads: "The [Rogers] scheme has been adapted and changed in response to comments from Westminster's planning officers and extensive local consultation.

"Statutory bodies such as the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Greater London Authority have also been consulted. Westminster's planning committee will meet shortly to deliver its verdict. Its members should be left alone to decide whether the Rogers scheme is a fitting 21st century addition to the fabric of London Rogers and his team have played their part in engaging with the democratic process. The Prince and his advisers should do the same."

A spokeswoman for Charles refused to comment on the letter, saying it was based on "private correspondence" between Charles and the Qatari royals. She said: "In cases of private correspondence we have no comment."

The architects' letter was also signed by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, Jean Nouvel, Frank Gehry and David Adjaye.