Tall buildings in outer London

“This Assembly notes with concern the growing proliferation of tall buildings in outer London.

These buildings threaten the cherished suburban character of outer London boroughs. In Barnet for example, New London Architecture has identified 21 tall building projects in the development process. Many of these have no place in the suburbs, such as the 31-storey tower, one of three planned,  being built in otherwise low-rise West Hendon and threatening the Welsh Harp SSSA.

Tall buildings can make a positive contribution to city life and the skyline, but only if they are in the right places, meet the right needs, and respect the character and identity of the surrounding area. Most of those proposed for suburban London fail to meet these criteria.

This Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to rethink his approach to tall buildings in outer London and to:

• establish a ‘Skyline Commission’ of experts from a range of fields ;
• develop more detailed and rigorous masterplanning processes, including engagement with local residents and stakeholders, especially within Opportunity Areas;
• implement a clusters policy; and
• require all developers with proposals for tall buildings in outer London to consider other building configurations.

The GLA should also support the development of a fully interactive 3D computer model of London’s emerging skyline in order to allow development proposals to be visualised within the context of their impact on the London skyline.”