Press Release
Mayor welcomes Heron Tower decision
22-7-2002 363
The London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, today welcomed the announcement by John Prescott that he would grant permission for the Heron Tower.
Ken Livingstone said:
‘This is great news for the capital and conforms with my vision for London, set out in the draft London Plan. Now this tower has got the go-ahead, developers will be more likely to come forward with proposals for other major new office development which will help keep London competitive and support London’s economic future.
‘While I am keen to support important views in London, this case demonstrated that the argument was taken too far. The Secretary of State agreed with my view that the building would actually contribute to the appearance of the Eastern Cluster of High Buildings, in line with the objectives of the City’s UDP.’
The Mayor had previously criticised English Heritage for forcing a call in and public inquiry into this scheme, which does not fall within any of the protected strategic views of St Paul’s. The public inquiry process has caused around eighteen months delay in granting permission for this scheme.
Criticising the delay caused by the public enquiry, Ken Livingstone said:
‘This tower should be under construction by now. This goes to demonstrate my argument, that where both I and the local authority concerned are in agreement the Secretary of State should not intervene. This was never a matter of national importance, but it is a matter of regional importance, and therefore the decision to go ahead with the tower should have stood when it was made last summer.
‘This shows that English Heritage are out of touch. Their arguments about London’s skyline have been completely defeated. English Heritage should not be allowed to undermine the economic confidence of the city by calling in every tower proposal there is.’
The Secretary of State’s decision recognises the fact that the proposal would not cause harm to the London skyline, or nearby listed buildings and that it will benefit the economic position of the city.
Ends
Notes to Editors
Notes to editors
1. The Heron Tower development requires the demolition of the existing buildings at Kempson House (35-37 Camomile Street) and Bishops House ( 106-126 Bishopsgate) and redevelopment to provide class B1 offices and Class A1 and/or A3 retail development with associated parking, servicing and plant with the ability to pedestrianise part of Houndsditch (63,105 square metres; 37 floors – 183 metres plus 39 metres high mast).
2. The application was referred to the Mayor for decision in February 2001.
For futher information please call Catherine Bithell in the Press Office on 020 7 983 4714.
For general and out of hours service call 020 7983 4070.
For non-media enquiries please ring the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.
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