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Majestic views from Buckingham Palace saved
Mira Bar-Hillel, Property Correspondent12 Feb 2008
A panoramic view across London that has been enjoyed by England's kings and queens for generations has been saved.
Plans to build two skyscrapers 50 yards from Buckingham Palace have been withdrawn following an outcry from conservation groups.
The 380ft towers were proposed as part of a £2billion regeneration of the area around Victoria station, and would have been clearly visible from the windows of Buckingham Palace.
Because of their proximity to the royal residence they could even have cast a shadow over Her Majesty's garden parties.
But now - following opposition by Westminster council, which rejected the original plans last December, citing concerns about the towers' effect on historic views across the capital - the developers have been forced back to the drawing board.
Rather than building two towers on the site, Land Securities and Transport for London are now asking for permission for just one and its height has been cut to a more modest 240 feet, or 20 storeys.
The block will contain about 200 flats, with shops on the lower levels, and will be on the site of the bus terminal in front of the station. A Land Securities spokesman said: "These plans reflect much of the feedback received previously but contain no public transport provision".
The new plans will come as a relief to conservation groups, which have been deeply concerned about the "two towers" plans since they were unveiled.
Lord St John of Fawsley, former head of the Royal Fine Art Commission, said then: "This view is quintessentially British and should be left alone."
Steven Bee of English Heritage said: "Hugely important events which have involved millions have been set in this landscape, including the Queen's coronation and her Silver Jubilee. This is what is at stake." Robert Davies, Westminster council's Cabinet member for planning, said he was delighted the developers had modified their planning proposal.
"I welcome the reduction in the height of the towers as this now protects the views of Buckingham Palace, and consequently the London skyline, which has always been our goal," he said. "We made this clear a long time ago and I'm pleased that common sense has prevailed."
The new plans for the Victoria redevelopment are due to be submitted to Westminster in summer. A decision will not be made until the end of this year at the earliest.
The development is the latest evidence that London's skyscraper revolution, once confined to the City and Docklands, is spreading. A public inquiry into another proposed skyscraper - a 43-storey block on the South Bank - began this week amid fierce opposition. English Heritage claims the £200 million Doon Street development will block views of Whitehall.
Reader views (1)
So are the conservationists really suggesting that the Queen enjoys viewing the 1960s landscape over Victoria? Do they really think that instead of looking at Buckingham Palace, all the visitors stare Westward over towards the station?
For a temporary place of residence that is sat bang in the middle of a busy thriving metropolis I would suggest that this 'victory' is a rather shallow one and too soon to celebrate. A twenty story tower will still be visible, it will likely be fatter and less elegant unless the developer wants to commit financial suicide and certainly there will be less finance offered towards improving Victoria station and its environs. Perhaps even the horrendous Portland House will remain, we will have to see but there is no evidence yet that the interventions based on the typical knee-jerk reaction to 'height' will bring something to be admired for future generations.
If Westminster council and English Heritage were intelligent with urban design they would seek something that was attractive rather than panicking over something because it can be seen and then failing (because we don't subsidise buildings any more) to make it disappear. If the developer offers lots of improvements for the public, as is the case with the Doon street development then we should welcome it and insist on something attractive in return for the profits they will make, taller allows for a more slender elegant profile, like a church spire. Won't we then all be happy?
- B Marsden, London UK, 12/02/2008 21:16
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