London mayor Boris Johnson and Westminster city council were under pressure this week to accommodate more tall buildings in central London.
The British Property Federation-comissioned Tall Buildings report, launched at the first London Major Projects forum at the Hotel Russell, WC1, on Tuesday, argues that skycrapers should be built in Westminster ahead of Johnson’s preferred destination of Croydon, south London.
The 42-page study, compiled by consultancy Colin Buchanan, says that high-rise buildings of more than 30 storeys offer clear economic benefits in central London locations. It claims that relocating 80,000 jobs within London to more accessible, high-density locations would increase output by £206m annually, or £2,500 per worker. However, it says that this benefit is often overlooked in favour of arguments over appearance.
John Siraut, associate director of economics, said: “In the right location, tall buildings can provide significant economic benefits that do not get taken into consideration in the planning system. There is no reason you shouldn’t have tall buildings in places like Westminster. In terms of economic benefit, Croydon is perhaps on the next tier.”
Deputy mayor for planning Sir Simon Milton told the forum that he would examine where new clusters of towers could be built in London boroughs, but warned that stand-alone buildings would face a tougher planning test.
