Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s planning advisers have said he should reject Hammerson and Ballymore’s revised proposals for the development of Bishopsgate Goodsyard, E1.
The GLA report, published on 8 April, said the density, height, massing and layout of the £800m scheme were not appropriate for the site because they would block sunlight and harm heritage sites.
The report also cited a design concern over the proposed Phoenix Street development becoming a “magnet for anti-social behaviour”.
The scheme would cause “substantial harm” to the Grade II listed Oriel gateway and “minor harm” to the setting of the Tower of London, the Grade I listed Geffrye Museum and three local conservation areas, the report found.
An appropriate scheme would have to address the daylight/sunlight effects identified in the report and reduce the height and massing of the development on the north-western edge of the site, the report suggested.
Bishopsgate Goodsyard was called in by the mayor of London in September following a request from the joint venture developers that he should consider the site after the application had not been determined within 16 weeks of being submitted.
The developers, who have been working on the 10-acre Shoreditch scheme since 2003, have attempted to reconcile the desires of the two local authorities in which the site lies – Hackney and Tower Hamlets – as well as numerous local groups campaigning to preserve the area.
The two have previously revised plans, increasing the proportion of affordable homes from 10% to 15.8%. The scheme includes more than 1,350 new homes, 700,000 sq ft of office space and 5.5 acres of new public realm.
Construction would happen in phases and expect to be completed by 2030.
A spokesperson for Hammerson and Ballymore said: “We are disappointed that the GLA’s report has recommended the scheme for refusal.
“The Goodsyard is one of central London’s most important strategic sites which we believe will contribute to the long term growth and success of London.”
Johnson is due to decide whether to approve the Bishopsgate Goodsyard plans on 18 April.
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