Irvine Sellar’s proposed 66-storey tower in Southwark will face another obstacle if the government approves a new batch of protected views across London’s skyline.
The proposals would give views of and from the Tower of London a greater level of protection than those of St Paul’s.
A 134-page guidance document, to be presented to the government for approval by Historic Royal Palaces, proposes three statutory viewing corridors into and from the Tower of London, which HRP said were required to protect its status as a World Heritage Site.
City planning specialist Huw Moseley, partner at Moseley & Webb, said: “The protected views will have a huge impact on schemes on Fenchurch Street, as well as on the South Bank.”
HRP and English Heritage, which is headed by HRP’s former chief executive, Dr Simon Thurley, have objected to Sellar Property’s plans for London Bridge Tower.
EH said the Renzo Piano-designed building would be “a spike through the heart of the Tower of London”. If the viewing corridors are approved, that verdict could become a material consideration in the planning inquiry next month.
But the City of London is fighting the proposals. City planning officer Peter Rees said: “We have to remind HRP that it is the Tower of London, not London of the Tower.”
