Ealing planning supremo died on Wednesday
Ealing Civic Society has paid tribute to Sir Peter Hall who died on 30 July at the age of 82.
''We were exceedingly fortunate to have one of
the most eminent planners of his generation living in Ealing. He had been our
President for over 10 years but was no mere figurehead. He was always
prepared to go out of his way to help us with our work, particularly in our
campaigns. He was someone who could invariably draw a large crowd to his
lectures: he gave two public ones for the Society - one of the few people we
invited back a second time!
''He was tremendously influential in two of our most important campaigns in
recent years - the Arcadia inquiry and improvements to Ealing Broadway
Crossrail station. He gave a powerful closing speech at the Arcadia inquiry in
2009 where he compared the influence of economists in the 26-storey
building proposed by Glenkerrin Ltd on Haven Green with the proposed
placing in the 1960s of a third London airport in an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty in the Chilterns. This was clearly very influential with the
inspector who recommended to the Secretary of State that the Glenkerrin
scheme be turned down.
''More recently he helped to enlist eminent people such as Lord Richard Rodgers in our cause for improvements to the design of Ealing Broadway Crossrail station. In both cases his involvement was critical to the success of our campaigns.
''He was a kind and generous man who was always happy to give his time to what he considered to be worthy causes.
''He will be sadly missed and our sincere condolences are extended to his wife Magda and family.''
Professor Sir Peter Hall was the Bartlett Professor of Planning and Regeneration and president of the Town and Country Planning Association. He was knighted in 1998 for his services to the Town and Country Planning Association and was named a “Pioneer in the Life of the Nation” by the Queen in 2003.
1st August 2014