Building Design Partnership - Other - Study on high buildings and strategic views in London

Date: 08 Sep 1997

BDP TO CONDUCT STUDY ON HIGH BUILDINGS AND STRATEGIC VIEWS IN LONDON

BDP Planning, London Property Research, London Research Centre and Ziona Strelitz Associates have been commissioned by a consortium, led by the London Planning Advisory Committee including London Boroughs, the Government Office for London and English Heritage, to conduct a study into the approach that London should adopt for high buildings. The current strategic planning policy states that London Boroughs should protect a list of ten strategic views of St Paul's Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster. Boroughs are also required to protect local views, identify where high buildings are appropriate or inappropriate, and safeguard areas near airports and telecommunications corridors.

Almost since the first appearance of the skyscraper, cities around the globe have competed to have the world's highest building. Recent events demonstrate the need for a framework in both local and strategic terms, for high buildings and structures in London; there are proposals for a Millennium Tower on the Baltic Exchange site in the City, the refurbishment of Britannic House, the Millennium Ferris Wheel on the South Bank and the expected completion of the Canary Wharf complex with two further towers. The study will consider: needs and desires; the urban design and economic impacts of alternatives; and the technology that is available to illustrate their effects. A wide range of possibilities will be debated, with particular focus on the following questions:

• should the existing approach be maintained, so that there is local control by boroughs, and the current identified strategic views be protected?
  
  
• should the existing approach be strengthened so that there is local control by boroughs together with the identification of more strategic views and also local views of importance?
  
  
• should there be individual responses to proposals, as they emerge by a process of consultation and consideration by Government, particularly where the proposals are for buildings/structures significantly higher than their surroundings?
  
  
• should proposals for new buildings be encouraged by identifying places in London where they may be appropriate while maintaining the current strategic views?
  
  
• should proposals for high buildings be discouraged by adopting a London-wide approach that resists them?
  
  

High buildings planning policy will also need to consider the opportunities and constraints imposed by the River Thames and other areas of known sensitivity, such as World Heritage Sites. The study will be completed in March 1998.

Comments are welcomed and should be addressed to any of the following:

Robin Clement
London Planning Advisory Committee
Artillery House
Artillery Row
London
SW1P 1RT
high.buildings@lpac.gov.uk


Sandra Roebuck
Building Design Partnership
PO Box 4WD
16 Gresse Street
London
W1A 4WD


Ziona Strelitz
ZZA
United House
North Rd
London
N7 9DP

Where do I go now?: » View the latest news items » View the news archive » Subscribe to Weekly Property Newsletter » Submit news