New London Sightlines Threaten City Development

New London Sightlines Threaten City Development

Published on 03-07-2009 by Skyscrapernews.com
When it comes to Boris Johnson there's been a lot of talk ever since he was elected on what the impact would be on tall buildings and now it's becoming apparent that the Mayor's proposed revisions to protected sightlines in London could well have a chilling effect on development in the capital.

Hayes Davidson have gone gone through the under-consultation London View Management Framework and without taking a conservative approach compiled their interpretation of new ones together with the old ones.

One of the planned sightlines will slice straight through British Land's Broadgate complex which means plans to erect a 120 metre tall tower designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners on 4 Broadgate will have to be revised. Another possible victim could be Heron Plaza which has been rumoured to be getting a height increase but appears on the fringe of one of the planned views.

The sightlines will also chill other developments on the northern fringe of the city and could end any plans to redevelop Northgate with skyscrapers and also seriously restrict development on Bishopsgate Goodsyard with only the eastern tip unaffected leaving the Broadgate as the sole tall building in the area.

The Broadgate Tower has not however proved a controversial addition to London's skyline indicating that perhaps many Londoners value this view less than the current administration running the capital does.

More damaging still to future development would be the combination of sightlines from Waterloo Bridge along with those of and from the Tower of London and City Hall that together will reduce the potential for building tall in the City to only a few small areas with restrictions along Holborn, London Wall, Aldgate, Leadenhall Street, and the whole of the area around Liverpool Street

For example, if British Land wish to renew planning permission for the Leadenhall Building they will fall foul of the plans as the tallest bit of the building that has ironically been planned in an attempt to please the current views but this means it will stand on an area where a viewpoint could run through.

The end result could be a few isolated areas where tall buildings can be built that are bound to have the same effect on the City of London as past restrictions did of driving those who want skyscrapers elsewhere in their search for floor space.

If you want to see more for yourself about where the sightlines will potentially go Hayes Davidson has set up a blog, complete with some comments on what they think further guidance is needed on and a zoomable map. You can find it at www.lookingatlondon.co.uk

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