Controversial plans to redevelop the King’s College campus on the Strand, WC2, have been called in by communities secretary Greg Clark.
The plans, which included redeveloping 154-158 Strand and the quadrangle while retaining the frontage of 152-153 Strand were given the green light by Westminster city council in April.
However, the communities secretary has called in the plans because of their potential for violating the section of the National Planning Framework that mentions “conserving and enhancing the historic environment”.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage strongly opposed the proposals and Historic England recently upgraded the harm it believed the work would cause to “substantial”.
A spokesman for the department said: “After careful consideration the secretary of state has decided to call in the planning applications for the redevelopment of King’s College in The Strand, London, to be decided by him.
“A planning inquiry will follow in which all parties will be able to make representations and further consideration can be given to issues around conserving and enhancing the historic environment of this location of national significance.”
