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The plan is based on Tony Blair undergo major reconstruction downing street According to newly released official documents, it will cost hundreds of millions of pounds and include plans to use underground “safe havens” in the event of a terror attack.
The ambitious scheme – codenamed Project George – included plans to build a two-storey “subterranean suite” underground. No. 10 Garden, with conference room for 200 people, also available as bunker In the event of a terrorist attack.
According to the briefing package, Released to the National Archives at Kew GardensThere will even be a new underground service road in west London, so VIP visitors will no longer have to share the famous No. 10 Deliveries and trash collection are available at the Black Gate entrance.
A separate new entrance will be built for staff and “regular visitors”, as well as a cafe and “breakout space” in the atrium next to Courtyard 10, and “entertainment facilities” in the basement.
Plan to extend to 11th and 12th downing street 70 Whitehall – home to the Cabinet Office – will feature a new glazed extension with sunshades to prevent heat build-up and explosion-proof glass.
The proposals are aimed at addressing the dilapidated condition of the estate – which dates back to the 17th century – which has not undergone major refurbishment since the 1960s and where sewers, mains power and IT systems all regularly fail.
“The main driver for the project was the serious deficiencies that limited the full and efficient use of the building,” the brief said.
“This would lead to an unacceptable breakdown of critical services and is unfit for such an important government office.”
This will require the buildings – which include offices for hundreds of civil servants and the official residences of the Prime Minister and Chancellor – to be vacated for two years while construction takes place.
The cost will be paid for through a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), spread over 30 years, peaking at £63m in 2006/07 before falling back to £25.5m per annum for the remainder of the period.
It’s not clear from the document why the government didn’t go ahead with the program – although cost is likely to be an issue.
The briefing was dated March 2005, just two months before the general election when Labor returned to power for a third consecutive term and Mr Blair’s attention would be focused on other matters.