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Boris Johnson makes spectacular planning U-turn
Mira Bar-Hillel, Property Correspondent23.10.08
Mayor Boris Johnson has made a dramatic U-turn over his decision to block a £1billion development to build three towers in central London because of their impact on a historic view.
In July the Mayor opposed the scheme in Waterloo, known as Elizabeth House but nicknamed the Three Ugly Sisters, which Lambeth council wanted to approve. This week he withdrew his objections.
The developers still have to face a public inquiry after Communities Secretary Hazel Blears decided to examine the proposals over their impact on historic views and sites.
Her decision leaves the Mayor accused of flip-flopping by groups opposed to the development. His election campaign relied heavily on his commitment to protect historic views but he has been accused of betraying these promises.
In July, Boris rejected the plans by developer P&O for buildings up to 33 storeys high, due to their impact on "the Westminster World Heritage Site; the view from the footbridge in St James's Park, and the setting of County Hall and the Royal Festival Hall". The decision was seen to confirm the Mayor's election commitments to the protection of historic vistas.
But on Monday Mr Johnson wrote to Lambeth council: "Having considered a report on this case, I am content to allow Lambeth council to determine the case itself, and do not wish to direct refusal."
The plans now being considered at an inquiry include a 27-storey office building; a 22-storey office building; and a tower of 274 flats reaching 33 storeys. Only 17 per cent of the flats will be "affordable".
Michael Ball, director of the Waterloo Community Development Group, said: "In July Boris said no because of the damage to historic sites. Since then he has had various schmoozes with the developers behind closed doors and, hey presto, the scheme's OK.
"This is the third time Boris has reneged on his election promises to stop skyscrapers, after failing to make effective interventions in Doon Street and Beetham Tower.
"Our only hope now is that the public inquiry will leave Hazel Blears with no option but to reject these damaging towers".
In the case of Doon Street, a block of private flats, Boris declined to write to Ms Blears expressing objections, and she approved the tower in spite of damage to historic views.
The Mayor's objection letter over Beetham Tower, south of Blackfriars Bridge, was drafted in July but did not reach the public inquiry, which ended earlier this month, until September.
A spokeswoman for English Heritage said: "We believe that [Elizabeth House] would cause significant harm to London's historic environment."
A Westminster council spokesman said: "We object to very tall buildings which will harm the settings of listed buildings and important views." The Mayor declined to comment.
Reader views (30)
The design changed in the period between Boris's first statement of objection and the revised scheme brought forward to planning. Waterloo needs this regeneration project to renew the whole station approach and public realm. With approval from the Mayor's office and the local authority why are the taxpayers having to waste money on an inquiry because of Westminster Council's right wing nimbyism? In this time of credit crisis here is a development waiting and needing to happen but our system continues to delay progress.
- Freddie, london
So he read the report and changed his mind .... surely thats the way it should work. Ken would ignore EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING and stick to his own view irrespective of public pressure, opinion or fact ..... he was immovable and, in that position, wrong. Surely we need a Mayor who can change his mind once he's actually considered the situation and the information?
- Jon Armstrong, London
Dear Ken,
I know that you are probably making a good few quid now, and are no doubt making good progress on your autobiography, but we were wondering if you might be free at all over the next few years?
You see, it seems we were seduced by a charming fop. He made us feel wanted, like we were special. And for a while we felt giddy with excitement by the promise of Latin classes for hoodies, and drinking fountains for those long hot London summers as well as the return of those lovely old Routemasters, which were pretty although useless as mass transportation.
This chap even appointed numerous deputies to help him drink the extensive wine cellars you had squirrelled-away (all 39 bottles)and to free him up to maintain all those press briefings that you used to hold, and to take two summer holidays as well as writing that vital column in the Telegraph.
Sadly, it seems we've been conned. His "Day One top priorities" remain unfulfilled. His deputies had feet of clay. The long hot summer lasted a week.
That heavy weight politician Arnie Schwarzenegger had him sussed in a minute. "This guy is all over the place".
We feel badly, badly let down.
I know we were beastly to you. But Ken, is there any chance you would have us back? For old times' sake?
If you can't, then thanks for the good times, we're sorry to have been so fickle and naive, and enjoy your life.
I suppose we'll at least have Wiff-Waff to look forward to.
Yours Sincerely,
Inner London.
- Fresh, Lonon
I didn't vote for Boris precisely because I thought he was in bed with the NIMBY brigade, unlike Ken who got my vote instead. Looks like I was wrong - sorry Boris.
- Tonyb, Twickenham, UK.
Waterloo has so many architectural eyesores, not least the whole of the South Bank area, that anything built there will be an improvement.
- Paul Sutton, Cambridge, UK.
Boris is slowly becoming another Livingstone and we all know what that means!
- Ex.Londoner, London, UK.
I suppose we must be thankful that it's not Livingstone.
- Vince , West London, UK.
Politicians always object to major projects of the previous administration (e.g The Dome) until new "terms" are agreed. Then magically like St Paul on the road to Damascus they see the light, or more likely the quid pro quo. But that sort of thing doesn't happen here, does it? It's not a third world country, is it?
- M.Perkins, London, UK.
Boris has no interest in what people really want, I pity any idiot who voted for him, what the hell were they thinking? I quite like some tall buildings, the Gherkin, Canary Wharf, the "shard of glass", but these three are hideous.
- Dylan, London, UK.
Surprised, you are gullible. There was an election, you believed in Santa too? As for beautiful architecture, obviously, you turn a blind eye to the RFH, an old shed; they spent £90+ million on, the Hayward Gallery? No way, the NT, a concrete jungle, which does a dis-service to the word? Waterloo Station and bullring, which still is filthy and smells like a toilet in the 3rd world. As Victoria would have said, we are not amused!
- Jeremy, Richmond, UK.
Boris is turning out to be more like Ken Livingston every day!
- Mark A, London, England.
That is not good Boris!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London.
Pam, I agree with you.
It is devastating to travel into Charring Cross; to see the beautiful architecture of Waterloo which is followed by the most squalid, ugly, disintegrating office block in London, on the corner.
For years Councils have allowed civil engineers who attempted to call themselves architects vandalise and devastate London more than the Blitz ever did.
It's about time they became more honest, less corrupt and restored the beauty of London as it used to be.
That does not include Big Boxes which have no architectural merit whatsoever and are being built for short term profit.
- Minnie, London, UK
I voted for Ken and would again instantly.
- C May, Bromley
At least with Boris we know he's done for a reason which will benefit us all.
- St, London
Johnson sholud take up ballet or ice skating. Expect more spectacular spins and turns from Blundering Boris.
- Dhanraj, Basildon
Clean up Waterloo first! I have just come back from the impressive entrance to Waterloo, has anyone noticed how dirty and badly designed that entrance is, how many roads you have to cross to get anywhere among threatening buses turning and taxis belting down that hill and cyclists killing you silently, nightmare, note the four square empty office block right next door. How will these four towers improve anything? Boris, a liar like every other politician.
- Pam, london
Stephen, London
I agree, not what we wanted
- N Grinsell, London
This is not the Boris I voted for. I am not happy.
- Stephen, London
This is PRECISELY the Boris you voted for. He's a buffoon, only the Evening Standard hoodwinked you into supporting him. Oh dear! You'll know better next time. But by then it'll be too late, with London ruined.
- Robert C, London UK
you deserve all you get. If you didn't spot what he is about before you voted. unbelievable that people can bring themslevs to admit thye voted for him
- Kevin, london
The "historic views" argument simply doesn't apply as it is impossible to see any of these buildings from St James Park. These "historic views" were reduced in scope by Ken.
However they are rediculous compared to the historic buildings around them
- Mark, Hammersmith
You voted for a Have I got News for You comedian - what did you expect to get?
- Dan, East London
Goodbye London as we know it. Johnson is showing himself to have the same hypocritical streak as every other politician. Big mistake voting for the man.
- Phil Jones, London UK
So pleased you're not happy Stephen - only 1.5 million to go!
- Robert Turner, United Kingdom
Bumbling Boris hasn't got a clue.
- Mick, London, England
Boris is turning out to be a constant source of disappointment.
- Jilly, London, England
I don't even know why this is still in the pipeline. Hasn't anyone bothered looking at the masses of empty buildings in the city, both older and new buildings?
- Scott, London
welcome to the tory party. hypocrites, liars and money grabbers.
- Geff, london
Well, it explains the Obama thing.
- Jetmpls, MinneapolisMinnesotaUSA
This is not the Boris I voted for. I am not happy.
- Stephen, London
