Battle lines have been drawn at the Guildhall in the City of London at the start of the public inquiry into Gerald Ronson’s controversial Heron Tower (pictured).
The case hinges on the architectural and economic effect the tower would have on the capital and the skyline around St Paul’s Cathedral where it would be located.
The hearing itself has been adjourned until next Tuesday, due to the death of the father of the scheme’s architect and chief witness, Lee Polisano.
Opening statements, outlining the case for the Heron Tower, were made by QCs representing Heron, the Corporation of London and Mayor Ken Livingstone. The case against was made by QCs for Westminster and English Heritage.
Christopher Katkowski QC, speaking on behalf of Heron, issued a strong denial of English Heritage’s claims that the proposed tower at 110 Bishopsgate, EC3, would damage the views of St Paul’s Cathedral from Waterloo Bridge and Somerset House by crowding it from the right.
“Can we really all be speaking of the same proposal? 110 Bishopsgate would not lessen St.Paul’s significance in the prospect from the bridge. Instead the great symbols of commerce seen to the right of St Paul’s in this prospect would have a distinguished addition,” Katkowski said.
He added: “This would not be the first time that today’s controversy becomes tomorrow’s cherished heritage.”
His case was backed by William Hicks QC, representing the Corporation of London, who told the inquiry that the tower was economically necessary for the continuance of the City’s role as a leading financial centre. He added that the scheme did not encroach on any strategic view of St Paul’s and was in the context of a group of tall buildings – Tower 42 and the unbuilt Swiss Re tower – known as the Eastern Cluster.
The statements were supported by John Hobson QC, speaking on behalf of London’s Mayor, Ken Livingstone.
English Heritage and Westminster City Council detailed their opposition to the scheme. Speaking for English Heritage, Richard Phillips QC dismissed the points made by Heron and the City, referring to the proposed scheme as “a gross violation of St Paul’s setting”.
“The applicants do not put forward any economic justification for the proposed floor space in the form of a high building,” he said.
He added: “Whatever the economic justification for a tall building, the proposed development is wholly out of sympathy with its surroundings, both near in relation to its immediate neighbours and wider afield in relation to the City’s skyline and setting of St Paul’s as enjoyed by millions of people. Heron Tower fails the fundamental requirement that it should be appropriate to – in harmony with – its context.”
Phillips also added that the proposed tower would unacceptably shadow the Grade II* listed St. Botolph’s church.
The objections were supported by Westminster City Council, which claims that the scheme would destroy views of the Cathedral from Waterloo Bridge and Somerset House, both part of Westminster.
The hearing continues on Tuesday 30 October.
EGi News 23/10/01
