It has period details that would make Kirstie Allsopp weep, breathtaking river views and a world-class location – but who would live in a flat like this? If housing campaign group Generation Rent gets its way, it could be any of us.
In a bid to save taxpayers money and create decent, reasonably priced rental homes in sustainable communities, the organisation has come up with quite a plan: turn the Houses of Parliament into 364 flats. Now, with the help of Jay Morton, an architect who specialises in social and affordable housing, they have drawn up plans for the redevelopment.
The high ceilings of the Palace of Westminister will be converted into three-bedroom maisonettes to accommodate families, they suggest, while corridors will be transformed into one- and two-bedroom flats – with windows on both sides.
The ground floor of the Grade I-listed building, a flood risk, is set aside for communal facilities, such as a swimming pool and a library. Dan Wilson Craw, from the campaign, says despite the 19th-century architecture, natural light won’t be a problem: “There will be floor-to-ceiling windows in most flats and, because of the internal courtyards, plenty of green space.”
Additionally, selling “the prestigious riverfront offices” of Portcullis House – currently home to MP’s offices – could provide a tax windfall of up to half a billion pounds.
Photograph: Generation Rent
But what about the current occupants? Prospective tenants could be forgiven for some anxiety at the idea they could be forced into a flatshare with Eric Pickles, or that George Osborne might steal the last of the milk, but relax: the proposals include plans to relocate MPs and Lords to Hull.
This, says Generation Rent (the new name for the National Private Tenants Organisation), will save the taxpayer nearly £120m over a five-year parliament – and ease the problem of the lack of affordable housing in the borough of Westminister.
There are 335 MPs “who rent second homes and claim expenses, costing the taxpayer £5.2m in 2013,” Generation Rent points out. “If parliament were located in a cheaper part of the country, there would be savings of £20m in reduced employment costs, and the creation of 5,000 badly needed jobs.”
Alex Hilton, director of Generation Rent, says politicians are shielded from the housing crisis thanks to the rental allowance of £20,000, and hopes this plan will draw attention to the problems of rocketing rents, poor conditions and lack of security in the rental market. “We hope our proposal gives MPs a sense of humility and some urgency to ending the housing crisis,” he says.