| Admin/Biog History | 66 Frognal in Hampstead, London, was a private house designed by Colin Lucas (of Connell, Ward and Lucas) in 1936-1938 and commissioned by Geoffrey Walford, a solicitor, his wife, Ursula, and her four children from a previous marriage. The project involved lengthy delays in the planning application process involving Hampstead Borough Council and strong opposition from architects and local residents and the case appeared regularly in the press. The case was referred to the London County Council (LCC) for a decision. It was initially passed but the case then went to arbitration and went in favour of the opposition. Walford then took the case to High Court, where he won, and the project finally went ahead.
Contractors Y.J. Lovell and son were employed and the project was completed in 1939. On the outbreak of the Second World War (1939-1945) the Walfords evacuated the house and LCC took possession to use the building as a fire alarm station. In 1942 the railings from the house were salvaged for the war effort.
In 1943 Walford (who remained close with Lucas and his family) sold the property (at a loss) for £6750 to Sir Richard Acland, MP. In 1973 the house was Grade II listed and became Grade II* listed in 1999. Trevor Dannatt also made changes to the house which are thought to have been approved of by Connell, Ward and Lucas. In 2000 Avanti Architects adapted the house for new owners whilst being considerate of the original design. |
| Description | Contains papers compiled and created by G.H. Walford, the first owner of 66 Frognal, relating to the events leading up to the Appeal to the High Court.
Material includes :
-Papers titled 'Re Approval of Plans by Wills up to Signing of Agreement for Arbitration' and dated October 1936-February 1937. This material includes correspondence between Walford, William Willett Ltd (Building Contractors), F. J. Wills (Architect), and Colin Lucas
-Papers titled 'Re Arbitration re Hampstead', dated February-April 1937. This material includes correspondence concerning the Royal Institute of British Architects role in the arbitration process
-Papers titled 'Re Appeal to Chancery Division on Award', dated April-July 1937. This material includes correspondence between Walford and Bartlett & Gluckstein, Solicitors for F.J. Wills, concerning the appeal process |