Heritage concerns raised about proposed 19-storey office block just off Fleet Street
| Published date | 05 April 2024 |
| Publication title | MyLondon (England) |
Landsec, a property developer and the applicant behind the proposal, said its designs take inspiration from the surrounding conservation area, and that it has 'ambitious plans' for Hill House. The existing seven-storey building is largely office space, though also has Shoe Lane Library at basement level plus a bar and gym. Landsec’s proposal would see the 1970s structure demolished, other than its basement, with a new 19-storey block built in its place.
As well as offices, the new building would deliver amenities such as a restaurant, café/retail space and a gym, plus public realm improvements. The library will also be retained, though will need to be relocated while development is underway.
In planning documents submitted with the City, Landsec wrote the current structure provides a ‘poor contribution to the public realm’, with the majority of the ground floor being ‘opaque and lacking in active frontage’. It added the provision of office floorspace will greatly increase under its plans, from 15,842 square metres to 44,110sqm.
Of the 49 public comments received, the majority 43 are supportive of the scheme. They all follow much the same format, including the sentence: “I am writing to share my support for the Hill House proposals,” with some backing aspects such as the retention of the library.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential heritage impacts of the plans, namely by Westminster City Council, The Twentieth Century Society, and Heritage England.
In its response, Westminster wrote it objects as it believes the proposed development will be ‘overbearing’ on the Grade-I-listed churches of St Mary Le Strange and St Clement Danes, both located on The Strand.
“This harm is tacitly acknowledged on page 82 of the Design and Access Statement which acknowledges that the redevelopment of the site would result in the loss of the skygap between St Mary-le-Strand church and 120 Fleet Street,” the council wrote. “It goes on to state that took on board that "the design should aim to minimise coalescence with 120 Fleet Street through elevation design and materiality. The height of the proposed scheme should not detract from the appreciation of the churches...
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