Architect Farrell to help regenerate neglected suburbs

ARCHITECT Sir Terry Farrell will oversee a new phase of London's development under Boris Johnson through the regeneration of up to five suburban "growth hubs".

In a huge boost for Sir Terry, the architect of Vauxhall's MI5 building and the Government's Thames Gateway design champion, the Mayor has given him a "proactive" role on his new Outer London Commission.

This has been established to advise on planning policy and push forward the Mayor's election pledge to revitalise the neglected outskirts of the city.

Sir Terry's role signals a decisive break from Ken Livingstone's focus on the inner city. This is despite the separate appointment this week of Richard Rogers, former chief architectural adviser to Mr Livingstone, as one of four architectural advisers to the new Mayor.

In an interview with Building Design magazine, Sir Terry said: "This area (outer London) is one the Mayor himself feels passionate about, so I can see we are going to have enthusiastic support."

Mr Johnson is believed to favour improving quality of life through new green spaces and bringing underground rivers back to the surface. Sir Terry said he was likely to look at Croydon and areas of the Thames like Canary Wharf and Woolwich.

Will Hurst