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Mayor won't object to 43-storey tower block
Mira Bar-Hillel, Property Correspondent25.07.08
Boris Johnson has decided not to object to plans for a 472ft skyscraper on the South Bank.
The £200million Doon Street tower is proposed for a site between Waterloo Bridge and the Oxo Tower.
The 43-storey building would contain 282 flats, a leisure centre and swimming pool.
The Mayor has no power to veto the plans because they have been the subject of a public inquiry, which took place in the spring before he was elected.
But critics of the development are disappointed he is not objecting now after giving an election pledge to protect London's historic skyline from new tall buildings.
Philip Davies of English Heritage said: "This development will seriously harm two of London's most treasured views: the world famous view of Whitehall from the bridge in St James's Park and the sublime symmetry of the courtyard of Somerset House when viewed from its entrance."
Sources say Mr Johnson was warned that making a submission now would be complicated, legally unprecedented and potentially costly because it could mean reopening the inquiry.
The final decision will be made by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and is expected within weeks. It is understood the Mayor hopes she will reject the proposals. The developer is Coin Street Community Builders, the firm which runs Gabriel's Wharf and redeveloped the Oxo Tower.
Former Mayor Ken Livingstone supported the scheme despite none of the flats being affordable homes for key workers, with proposed prices ranging from £320,000 to £575,000.
He helped Coin Street with funds to buy the site when he was leader of the Greater London Council and the Mayor's London Development Agency helped fund the firm's planning-application. Michael Ball, chairman of the Waterloo Community Development Group, insisted it was not too late for Mr Johnson to step in.
He said: "He should do this because the tower is inappropriately located and will have a grievous impact on London-wide views and because the lack of affordable housing cannot be justified.
"He could also point out the site was bought by the GLC in 1984 and sold to Coin Street for only £750,000 on condition that it be developed for affordable housing and live/work light industrial uses only.
"Since then only 220 social homes have been built. This was not considered at the public inquiry."
Iain Tuckett of Coin Street said the leisure centre would benefit the whole community and would be paid for by the sale of the flats.
Reader views (11)
This new development will provide great new public indoor swimming and sports for facilities in central London – it should be applauded not denigrated. The Standard should be backing this scheme as part of their 2012 Campaign. We need public sports facilities, we need great new architecture … the proposals for Doon Street provide both.
- Taki Sirianos, London
Another alienating concrete and glass slab destroying London. Why do these people that advocate developers getting rich on eyesore buildings think these monoliths enhance anything about London? They are there only to satisfy developers and that's it. The land should be compulsorily purchased and turned into small lanes of updated London style buildings, how about a 21st century take on Dickensian London - pretty squares, shops, dwellings and local stores. The swimming pool could be built underneath it all.
- Terry, Beckenham UK
Come on guys... once you let The Gherkin in... it was open door for anyone!
- Susan Seifert, Bismarck North Dakota USA
It's a wonderful comment on human nature, isn't it? Public money given to help struggling grassroots community group to provide affordable housing for local people. A few years down the line, the same aforesaid sgcg realises it can fill its boots with the enhanced capital value, and makes a beeline straight for the trough. The Mayor should compulsorily purchase this land for the same cash value it had back in the 80s.
This is always the problem - and I don't know the answer, short of hugely tighter drafting and policing of rental agreements - with public intervention into a market to help the disadvantaged. It merely buys the lucky few a relative advantage over the remaining many; have you ever known anyone give up public housing because their circumstances improved, and somebody else now needed it more?
- Mdj, Leyton, e10 london
It's a bit of an exaggeration saying they will ruin views from these locations. The tower has been shortened already to accommodate English Heritage’s views and the fact that the building is giving the community a local amenity such as a swimming pool should be commended. I hope it gets through the unnecessary public enquiry.
- Christian, london
"Mayor won't object to 43-storey tower block."
Surely the headline should be:
'Mayor can't object to 43-storey tower block, or the public inquiry into its construction will have to be re-opened at a huge cost to the taxpayer.'
- Duncan Schofield, Harrow, London, UK
If there is a possibility of stopping this then I hope mayor will go ahead,however if it is not feasible then better to save money to fight other developments not agreed by former,High Rise,mayor,Ken.....
- Jean, London England
London is so beautiful, especially the south bank, please don't go and spoil it by building a tower block the money could be used elsewhere maybe a low cost housing development which would benefit more people, than just the super rich that could afford to buy an apartment there.
- Dave, cape town south africa
"The Mayor has no power to veto the plans because they have been the subject of a public inquiry, which took place in the spring before he was elected."
The headline is misleading. This is not a case of "Mayor won't object" but "Mayor can't object".
It was a fait accompli when he came into office. Don't blame him, blame his predecessor.
- Sarah W, London
So yesterday Boris rejects three towers from Waterloo because of their so called harm to the World Heritage Site, yet today has no problem with a tower a stone's throw away. At least with Ken you knew he'd be in support no matter where they were proposed. Now we have a Mayor who seems to be randomly deciding which ones go through and which ones don't. Joined up thinking there then.
- Darren, London
Come on Boris. This tower is horrible and must be thrown out. Spend my taxes if you really have to.
- Stephen, London
