Clash of the architects

Two of Britain's most distinguished architects are embroiled in an acrimonious dispute over the planned £20 million update of Chelsea Royal Hospital.

Lord Rogers and Quinlan Terry are rowing over plans for a new infirmary at the hospital. It would house the frailest Chelsea Pensioners who have been forced to stay in temporary accommodation after ministers stepped in to delay the scheme.

The design for a new care home at the military hospital - founded by Charles II, designed by Christopher Wren and opened in 1692 - has been drawn up by Terry, a "contemporary classicist" and favourite of Prince Charles. The new classical-style building would replace a little-loved Fifties structure.

But Lord Rogers, creator of the Lloyd's Building and Paris's Pompidou Centre, is reported to have sent a scathing email to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott - who has the final say in planning matters - attacking Terry's plan. And yesterday Terry accused Lord Rogers of abusing his close relationship with ministers.

In a confidential email, dated 9 February, leaked to the Architects' Journal, Lord Rogers called Terry's plans " architectural plagiarism" bearing "no relation to Wren's original Baroque design".

According to local councillor Tim Aherne, Lord Rogers said the design was "inadequate for the location, a pastiche and a copy". Lord Rogers, who wrote the Government's Urban Task Force report in 1999, is said to want a modern building, in common with conservation group the Chelsea Society.

Today Mr Terry told The Guardian: "Such an abuse of his position was a shock. We feel the whole planning system is undemocratic if you are going to be over-ridden by pressure groups.

"Lord Rogers is a doctrinaire of the Sixties who believes a modernist building is the answer for every situation." Lord Rogers, who did not bid for the project, declined to comment. Mr Prescott's office has imposed a threeweek freeze on the project while it look at objections to Terry's design.

The office will decide whether to "call in" the proposals for a ministerial decision. The hospital fears the plan could be rejected, or delayed for up to 18 months while a public inquiry is held.

Michael Legge, secretary of the Royal Hospital, said: "The old gentlemen are going to suffer. The infirmary is where the frailest pensioners live."