Richard Rogers plans 100,000 sq ft British Library extension

Pic:Star architect  Richard Rogers  ,AFP
Educational reporter(wp/es):

Star architect Richard Rogers has teamed up with the British Library as part of a multi-million-pound scheme to transform London’s Knowledge Quarter.

Plans include a 100,000 sq ft extension to the library and the creation of a “bespoke headquarters” for the Alan Turing Institute, the national centre for data science research named after the Second World War code breaker.

There will be a new entrance for the Grade I listed building in St Pancras and more exhibition space, increasing access to its vast collection of books, newspapers and records.

The proposal, with developers Stanhope, also includes new facilities for school trips and the writers and academics who use the existing site.

It is part of a wider development of a 2.8-acre site north of the library that will offer commercial firms the chance to set up shop at the heart of what has been dubbed the Knowledge Quarter. This is made up of an alliance of  80 cultural and science organisations including Google, the University of the Arts and the British Library, all located within one mile of King’s Cross, Euston Road and Bloomsbury. 

Stanhope, which has been involved in major developments including the extension of Tate Modern, is also working on the regeneration project at the former Television Centre in White City. Lord Rogers’s firm, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, designed the British Museum extension.

Roly Keating, the British Library’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have secured such high-calibre partners to help realise our vision of the British Library’s London campus as a truly open, creative centre for knowledge. Sir Colin St John Wilson’s Grade I listed building was one of the great public projects of the last century, and this new partnership will help us to preserve and respect its unique character while creating much-needed extra space both for our growing public audiences and the dynamic research communities in London’s Knowledge Quarter.”

The plans for the development are expected to be revealed in the next 18 months. Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “The British Library is one of our finest cultural institutions, housing an unparalleled collection of knowledge. 

“This innovative project will increase access to the library’s first-class collections, providing new exhibition spaces, learning opportunities and facilities for visitors from Britain and around the world to enjoy. It is a significant commitment to digital research and data science, and I am pleased the expansion will provide a bespoke headquarters for the Alan Turing Institute.”

Property market takes hit with slowest price rise for five years

Pic:London house prices are rising less quickly than elsewhere

Staff reporter(wp/es):

London’s property market has slowed dramatically with prices rising at their slowest rate for nearly five years, according to latest official figures.

The average cost of a home in the capital rose just 3.7 per cent to £474,704 in the year to February and actually slipped slightly in January, the latest data from the Land Registry reveals.

In four boroughs prices are now falling year on year and double digit growth - the norm for much of London last year - is now confined to Havering and Kensington & Chelsea.

The biggest falls were in Tower Hamlets, where they dropped 2.9 per cent in a year, Brent, where they fell 2.3 per cent, Islington with a 1.9 per cent fall and Hammersmith & Fulham, which dipped 0.2 per cent.

The data suggests that the slowdown that started in the most expensive central areas following sharp increases in stamp duty is now finally spreading out to the suburbs.

House price changes across London

Unusually prices in London are now rising less rapidly than the rest of England, where the average rise was 6.3 per cent.

Russell Quirk, founder and chief executive of online agents eMoov.co.uk, said: “Although many have been quick to attribute a slowdown in the market to fears of Article 50 and buyer uncertainty, the latest data from the Land Registry would suggest a more natural adjustment is currently happening to the market.

“Prices across the board have generally continued an upward trend despite a slower start to the year than usual, but it is no coincidence that both London and the South East have seen some of the only falls in monthly property price growth. 

“Both have considerably higher average house prices than the rest of the UK and what we are currently seeing is the property market in these areas realigning itself with the rest of the country, having seen an abnormal level of inflation over the last year.”

House price changes across the UK

However, the number of sales remains depressed with just 6,665 in December down almost a third on the 9,700 recorded in the same month in 2015.

The number of properties going on the market - already at historically low levels - slumped after the Referendum in June.

The Land Registry figures came as Government data showed that the official rate of inflation remained unchanged at 2.3 per cent last month, raising hopes that the acceleration in price rises that followed the Brexit vote may not be as bad as feared.

But Jane Tully, director of external affairs at the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said that even this level of inflation could be enough to hurt many overstretched families

She said: “Many people will struggle to cope with this small but significant erosion, and our concern remains for a minority who are at risk of tipping over into problem debt as a result.

“Coupled with high levels of household borrowing, this trend comes at a worrying time and will require a joined up and sustained approach from the advice sector, lenders and government to ensure that those in need receive the support that can help them get back on track with their finances.”

Police search for missing girl last seen boarding Tube train

Pic:Missing: 14-year-old schoolgirl Paulina Miller
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Police are searching for a schoolgirl who was last seen boarding a Tube train in central London. 

Paulina Miller, 14, has not been seen since Wednesday evening.

The teenager, from Ealing, was spotted boarding a southbound Bakerloo Line train at Piccadilly Circus at about 7pm, police said. 

A spokesman added: "Paulina is described as white, around 5ft 4in tall, of slim build with blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair. It is not known what she may now been wearing.

"Officers are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare."

Politicians in Oregon could once again start settling disputes with duels

Political reporter(wp/es):

Politicians in Oregon may soon fight duels again as it emerged voters could be asked if they want the 172-year-old ban on them to be lifted.

Voters in the US state could see the question appear on their general election ballots if discussions on the issue lead to an agreement.

The constitutional ban on public officials duelling, the old fashioned way of resolving disputes, was signed into law in 1845.

But if the ban is repealed, the state could see a bloody history of politicians shooting each other revived.

In 1804, a bitter rivalry between US vice president Aaron Burr and the nation’s first treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton was settled with a fatal gunshot.

It was Hamilton who lost the squabble and died of a gunshot wound.

If it passes both chambers, the repeal will then be referred to voters for the final say.

During this week's hearing, chief sponsor of the peculiar proposal Brian Boquist said the article was not the only surprising constitutional provision.

He told the committee: "I want you to know that most of your stationery is probably in violation of the law because we have a constitutional clause as to how we can use our stationery.”

Mr Boquist acknowledged the best option would be to tackle all of these constitutional issues at once, rather than piece-by-piece as his proposal would do.

The state's constitution still makes references to slavery and titles of family nobility, he said.

Mr Boquist added: "The problem with ignoring all those things is that eventually they catch up to us."

Democratic senator Ginny Burdick, who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, kicked off the discussion by jokingly calling it "the bill I've been waiting all session for".

All proposals have until April 18 to be moved on from their initial policy committees or be referred to a special committee or they will fail.

Teenage boy stabbed in the face during fight near Vauxhall

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A teenage boy was stabbed in the face during a fight in south London.

The victim, in his mid-teens, is feared to have suffered “life-changing facial injuries” in the attack between Vauxhall and Stockwell on Saturday night. 

He also suffered stab wounds to his torso, police said. 

The boy was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service after police were called to Bolney Street at about 10.20pm.

The Met’s gang crime unit, Trident, is investigating and there have been no arrests.

Two-year-old boy and his parents rushed to hospital after 'acid attack' on Islington street

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A two-year-old boy has been rushed to hospital alongside his parents after an apparent acid attack on the family on a north London street.

Emergency services were called to a residential street in Islington just after 1pm on Saturday afternoon to reports of an assault.

They found a 40-year-old father, 36-year-old mother and their young child who had all had a harmful substance thrown at them in Copenhagen Street.

Firefighters attending the incident used water from a hose to cool down their burns at the scene before all three were taken to a north London hospital by ambulance.

The young boy was found to have slight chemical burns to his face although his injuries were being treated as “minor”.

However, his father's injuries were described as "life-changing".

Both parents suffered 15 per cent chemical burns on their hands and bodies, although the mother’s injuries were also only being treated as minor.

An investigation has now been launched into the alleged assault and to ascertain exactly what the liquid used was.

A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman said tests had shown the unknown liquid had a PH level of 1. They added: “Tests have found a strong acid and oxidising substance.”

Detectives from the Met’s Central North Borough Command Unit are now investigating. There have not been any arrests.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) on Saturday, 8 April shortly after 13:05 hours to reports of an assault in Copenhagen Street junction with Caledonian Road, N1.

“Three people - a man, woman and a two-year-old boy - were found with injuries consistent with a noxious substance being thrown.

“The woman and child suffered minor injuries. The man's injuries are not being treated as life threatening, however we await an update as to whether they are life-changing. 

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and ascertain what the substance is.”

Woman, 27, fighting for life after being stabbed repeatedly in early hours of the morning

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A woman is fighting for her life after being repeatedly stabbed in the early hours of the morning in Stoke Newington.

The 27-year-old victim was rushed to hospital with multiple stab wounds after the attack near Rectory Road station in the well-to-do area of north-east London.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said she remained in after the attack at the junction of Rectory Road, where one bedroom flats can sell for more than £700,000, and Evering Road just before 3.30am on Sunday.

A heavy police presence was visible and a large cordon was in place after the stabbing.

Rectory Road and the station both remained closed on Sunday morning.

There have been no arrests and an investigation is ongoing, the Met said.