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Mayor's high-rise threat to city views
By Mira Bar-Hillel, Evening Standard Last updated at 11:21am on 01.06.07
At risk: historic views - such as this one from Alexandra Palace - could disappear
Protection for some of London's favourite views is to be downgraded, meaning famous sights could soon be infringed by high-rise developments, conservationists warned today.
The changes to London planning guidelines, engineered by Mayor Ken Livingstone, now face the possibility of a High Court challenge from Westminster council.
Historic vistas such as the view of the Palace of Westminster from Primrose Hill have been protected since 1991 under the Regional Planning Guidance rules. These made it impossible to build anything within 300-metre corridors that would infringe on 10 key sight lines.
But in July that protection is to be replaced with the far-more complex London Views Management Framework.
Mr Livingstone wants to see more tall buildings in selected areas to attract more foreign investment to the capital and increase affordable housing. The changes will be introduced in spite of opposition from most London boroughs and government agencies.
Robert Davis, Westminster's cabinet member for planning, said his council was considering a High Court challenge to the changes. He said: "The current system of protecting views works well, and we do not understand the merit of the changes."
Condemning the changes, Brian Coleman, deputy chairman of the London Assembly, said: "Hundreds of years of history and decades of effective protection could now be gone within months. For Ken's developer friends Christmas has certainly come early this year."
The Department for Communities admitted "views will be narrowed". A spokesman said: "The Mayor decided thiswas the right balance between the need for new buildings in the capital and protecting our heritage."
Reader views (2)
Where would the views of New York or Hong Kong be without high rises? We could do with a few high rise views of our own in London. After all when St Paul's was built, it was itself a high rise.
- Justin Dubon, London, UK
Whilst maintaining views of certain historical structures for famous views of the capital is desirable, London must be allowed to grow and adapt to the ever changing world to maintain its world-class status. London has unfortunately built outwards as far as it can, the ever-sprawling suburbia encroaching into the greenbelt, and now the only option is to build upwards. Tall buildings as long as they are of the highest quality design that contribute to their surrounding environment and create an iconic inspiring and uplifting skyline, should be welcomed. London is a city that has always strived for the future and allowed its famous and well-loved historic and present day architecture to mix freely with incredible success. To deny the organic growth of this city at a time when space is limited is to deny its secured future as a diverse, successful and forward thinking city that can house its population without resorting to destroying the natural beauty of the greenbelt.
- Darren, London
