The single greatest achievement which has redefined the image of the South Bank is the development of the new Tate Modern art gallery. 'The Tate Modern will generate a cultural 'halo zone', hastening the redevelopment of St Christopher House and Southwark Street, SE1,' said Marsh.

'The South bank Arts complex will become a retail and leaisure destination, as well as improving its role as a focal point of music and theatre. Indeed with the Eurostar service at Waterloo it could well become a focal point for Europe as well as London,' Marsh said.Marsh admitted that there was still considerable work to be done before Waterloo joined the likes of Salzburg, Venice and Paris as a byword for cultural attainment. 'The present station and its surrounds remain an obstacle course for anyone perverse enough to want to enjoy the pedestrian experience,' he said, 'and, after a decade of plans and committees, the South Bank arts complex remains more gulag than gracious urban space.'

However, since 1996, over 5000 new homes have been built in SE1 with loft conversions as well as new buildings coming onto the market. Excluding mixed use schemes another 6,000 are planned. 'This part of London is a lifestyle experience,' said Marsh, 'a chintz-free zone.'