TNAG-0978-FCO40-1197-Legislation-for-preservation-of-ancient-buildings-and-monume-1981 — Page 33

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The fact that the building is privately owned should not prescribe or influence its consideration, as the legislation sets out a procedure for the owner to lodge an objection and to seek compensation. A decision by the Authority to declare the building would set in motion communication and negotiation between the Government and the Club; it is quite possible that a satisfactory solution could be negotiated, an exchange of land could be arranged, or that an eventual objection from the Club

could be allowed. A. decision to proceed with the gazetting

process would allow for a much fuller investigation of

the possibilities.

It must also be borne in mind that the Club membership

has in the past shown a considerable desire to save the

building, if the means could be found. A statement by

the Authority of its intention to gazette could have a

galvanizing effect on Club members.

Specific Proposals

Negotiation with the Club may well indicate that the Club

would be willing to examine new possibilities for retain-

ing the building after its designation as a monument.

Three alternative arrangements would engender such a

situation:

10 Payments could be made under section 7 of the

Ordinance directly for the structural maintenance of

the building. Such a subsidy is common in other

countries, and would be seen by the public as a form of compensation to the Club for loss of development

revenue; it would thus be an entirely appropriate

expenditure of public funds to obtain conditions 1

through 7 above.

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