Portrait gallery fears a room with no landscape

AS TWO of London’s leading art institutions, not to mention close neighbours, they have much in common.

But the National Gallery has found itself at loggerheads with the National Portrait Gallery over an extension that the latter argues will obscure views of historic landmarks.

The National Gallery proposes to convert two lightwells into offices and a staff café. But the one objection lodged with Westminster council is from the Portrait Gallery, which said it was not briefed on the proposal and that the view from its Portrait Restaurant would be “harmed”.

Planning officers who will consider the application on Tuesday said: “It is considered a private view because it can only be enjoyed by patrons of the restaurant. The planning system offers little scope to protect it.”