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Hundreds object to 43-storey office block near Tower of London and next to UK's oldest synagogue

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date22 April 2024
Publication titleMyLondon (England)
A previous application for a 48-storey office block was rejected by the City of London Corporation in October 2021. Backed by the developer Welput, a fund managed by real estate firm BentallGreenOak, the scheme was refused on two grounds; its 'overshadowing and overbearing' impact on the synagogue, and the detrimental effect it would have on the Tower of London World Heritage Site

It's around half a mile from the Tower of London, but the potential impact on Bevis Marks is far worse, confirmed by an independent review commissioned by the City, which found the tower would result in 'significant reductions in sunlight'.

The new submission by Welput is again intended to be office-led, and have spaces for education, retail and other uses, alongside public realm improvements. The building has been reduced to 43 storeys and will be slimmer at the top, to allow for more sunlight onto the synagogue.

It has, however, drawn 298 objections in just over a month, as well as 21 in support. The consequences for the heritage of the Grade-I listed site were high among the concerns raised by those opposing the scheme.

"What message would permitting this obscenity send about the City of London and its values to the hundreds of thousands of visitors, including school children and those from across the UK and overseas, who will come to visit over the new few years," one person wrote.

"This kind of proposal would never be considered within the vicinity of St Paul's Cathedral, and should certainly not be permitted just metres from British Jewry's Cathedral synagogue, particularly along its sensitive southern exposure."

Another wrote they are 'astonished and appalled' to see the new application. "A very similar application was refused some two years ago, and since then the area has been made a Conservation Area."

The submission of the proposed scheme following the recent designation of the locality as a Conservation Area was also raised by a number of other objectors. One person wrote: "I consider that this planning application should never have reared its head again in only a slightly revised format to that which has already been rejected.

"It is an absolute disgrace...

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