The public inquiry into the 1.5m sq ft redevelopment of the Shell Centre on London’s South Bank, SE1, will begin today.
The 12-day inquiry into Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar’s giant mixed-use scheme is arguably the highest-profile test of the coalition government’s new planning policy since it was introduced.
Local council Lambeth and London mayor Boris Johnson have both vocally backed the redevelopment of the site, which will create hundreds of new homes as well as a new headquarters for Shell.
But Westminster council and Unesco have voiced objections to the scheme amid fears it could spoil views of the Palace of Westminster.
Plans for the 5.3 acre site include 500,000 sq ft of new offices across two buildings, 800,000 sq ft of residential and 80,000 sq ft of retail.
A further 300,000 sq ft will be retained in the existing 27-storey Shell Centre Tower.
Mike Hussey’s Almacantar is under offer to forward purchase the new office buildings for around £500m. However, the deal hangs on the outcome of the inquiry.
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
