Skyscrapers could blight central London's skyline

Yes_Minister · Site Admin Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 2

The skyline in central London and the West End could be blighted by a rash of tall buildings if Ken Livingstone wins new planning powers, Westminster City Council warned today.

The sensitive areas around Victoria, Paddington, Tottenham Court Road and Chelsea Barracks have been identified as "opportunity areas" in the Mayor's London plan which will "deliver ... where appropriate, tall buildings".

Although decision-making on tall buildings in Westminster is currently in the hands of the City Council, Mr Livingstone is set to be granted planning powers that will allow him to overrule the local authority on buildings which he considers "strategic".

Westminster reiterated its concerns as the GLA Bill, in which the proposals are contained, reached the Grand Committee stage at the House of Lords today (2nd May).

The Council has rejected the Mayor's claims that tall buildings are a necessity for the economy or urban regeneration and is deeply concerned that he could end up with complete control over a number of key future development sites in Westminster.

In particular, it fears the proposals for 50-storey twin towers at Victoria Station would break the currently uninterrupted roofline of Parliament as seen from the Albert Embankment.

Councillor Robert Davis, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: "We accept that the opportunity areas identified in Westminster such as Victoria, Paddington, Tottenham Court Road and Chelsea Barracks provide significant potential for growth.

"But Westminster - as the heart of London - has a thriving economy in its own right and growth can be accommodated without the need for skyscrapers.

"As a council we believe we should have the power to decide what is built in Westminster. These are decisions that are based on our detailed assessment of what is desirable in in our borough, with its unique heritage, historic buildings and world famous skyline."

Westminster is also concerned that major planning applications could suffer from long delays if the GLA Bill becomes law.

Figures show that the average time for planning applications referred to the Mayor to be decided was 24 weeks last year. In contrast, the council decided more than 80 per cent of all major applications within less than 13 weeks in 2006.

Westminster believes this will do nothing to help make the planning system more efficient.

For more info: http://www.westminster.gov.uk/councilgovernmentanddemocracy/councils/pressoffice/news/pr-3713.cfm