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New move to limit towers in the heart of capital
Last updated at 13:40pm on 14.02.07The Mayor could be on a collision course with the Government as new planning rules could limit the number of skyscrapers being built in the heart of the capital.
An interim report by the Department of Culture has revealed it could become more difficult for developers to win permission for large buildings in the City.
A new protected view of the Tower of London now restricts developments that would compromise vistas of the Tower, Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster.
It follows concerns from Unesco at the failure of the British authorities to offer more protection to London's world heritage sites from overbearing developments that spoil longdistance views from areas such as Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath.
Mr Livingstone has backed plans for tall buildings in the past but it has emerged that the Department of Culture has revealed the new moves in information it supplied to a public inquiry being held into a proposed skyscraper.
Its submission states: "The precise detail of the protected view is under discussion between key stakeholders and we will forward a plan that defines it as soon as it is agreed."
The department also told the inquiry that a "visual impact study" of Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster will lead to a revision of planning rules "as well as being an important national consideration in determining future planning applications".
These changes to the London View Management Framework could make it more difficult for developers to build schemes of the same scale in Westminster and Southwark, and limit views of the protected sites from the South Bank - another key concern of Unesco.
One proposal, for the 180m Beetham Tower in Blackfriars Road, is stuck at a planning inquiry, having already been scaled back from 226 metres.
Another proposal for three towers known as Elizabeth House, which would reach 140 metres on a site beside Waterloo station, has yet to be submitted to Lambeth council.
Britain's biggest property company, Land Securities, is also understood to be working on plans to build a twin-tower development 50 storeys high beside Victoria station that would threaten views of Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. A previous scheme was withdrawn after objections from Westminster council.
The Mayor is a strong advocate of tall buildings, which he believes add to London's skyline and provide extra office space. His Transport for London organisation has taken space in the 310 metre "Shard of Glass" tower to be built at London Bridge .
Reader views (3)
I hope the Government does put a limit on the obscene tall structures being put up. The character of London is being destroyed. Those who want London to be another New York City, Chicago or LA just keep putting up more of the sun-blockers.
- Phil Jones, London UK
Part of London's appeal is the organic and uplanned mix of centuries of different building styles. If their is a demand and the design of a building is good, it should be built. Protecting views is nonsense in a working city.
- Tom, Wapping
Why don't they take a grander view of things?
I'd allow as many towers as they want in the city and eastwards, provided two things happen. Firstly, that public transport is improved to support the extra people that will go in the towers, at the developer's expense. And secondly, that some ugly and sub-standard buildings in the more historic parts of Londo is demolished and replaced by open space, again at the developer's expense.
For example, imagine that all the space between St. Pauls and the river was cleared of ugly buildings and turned into a park. that would be worth a few new skyscrapers in the square mile, wouldn't it? Or even worth sccrificing the view from Hampstead heath for (you'd open up a much better view from the South bank).
- Nigel, London
