City of London planning officers have recommended for approval Welput’s plans for a 43-storey office block next to one of Britain’s oldest synagogues.
The recommendation comes despite secretary of state Angela Rayner instructing the City of London Corporation “not to grant permission without specific authorisation” late last month.
Rayner was called in on the proposal for Bury House, EC3, after the scheme attracted strong opposition, with more than 1,340 objections lodged mainly around its impact on the nearby Grade I listed Bevis Marks Synagogue.
The scheme is set to go before the City of London Corporation on Friday 13 December.
Planning offices said they were recommending the plans as the “quantity of floorspace would significantly contribute to maintaining the City’s position as the world’s leading international, financial and professional services business centre”.
They added that the proposals would optimise the use of land, delivering high-quality office space, and a multi-layered series of accessible spaces and would “enhance convenience, comfort and attractiveness in a manner which optimises active travel”.
“The proposed development would optimise the quantity of floorspace for offices and a mix of community and retail uses along with a range of amenity and urban greening measures, thus contributing to future proofing the City of London against a range of environmental, social and economic sustainability challenges,” said the officers’ report.
A Welput spokesman said the firm welcomed the recommendation.
“The application, located within the eastern cluster – a key area designated for significant growth in the office sector – will address the increasing demand for sustainably-designed, high-quality business accommodation,” said the spokesman. “It is our conviction that our project will foster collaboration and clustering among businesses while aligning seamlessly with the objectives of the Draft City Plan 2040.”
He added: “The Bury Street Project represents a significant opportunity for the City, particularly in its support of SMEs, which constitute 99% of all City employers. By creating new jobs and driving economic development, the project will play a crucial role in enhancing the City’s attractiveness and ensuring sustained growth and prosperity for its diverse business community.”
Rabbi Shalom Morris of Bevis Marks Synagogue said he was “staggered” by the recommendation, labelling the proposals “highly damaging”.
He added: “It is a speculative proposal which the developers are trying to bulldoze through, regardless of the harm it would cause. We urge the planning committee to, again, uphold the council’s planning policies and reject this totally inappropriate tower proposal.”
DP9 is advising on planning. The scheme has been designed by Stiff + Trevillion Architects.
Image © Stiff + Trevillion Architects
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