Life in the only London borough where 'residents are not the main priority'
| Published date | 13 April 2024 |
| Publication title | MyLondon (England) |
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said the local authority is ‘proud’ to be custodians of the City, and that 90 per cent of residents surveyed said they are satisfied with the Square Mile as a place to live.
Compared to the 32 other local authorities in the capital, the City of London is notably light on residents. Just 8,600 were recorded in the 2021 Census against a mass of roughly 615,000 workers who flock to the Square Mile on a regular basis. This distinct demographic is also reflected in those eligible to vote in the City elections, with the Corporation saying there is approximately a 70-30 split between workers and residents on the Ward List.
According to some of those living in the City, this discrepancy results in choices being made in the interests of corporations rather than residents. Nowhere is this seemingly more apparent than in planning, where several of those the LDRS spoke to said decisions are routinely made which directly contradict their needs.
Sometimes this is due to the size of new developments. An Evening Standard investigation found there are 26 towers 75 metres tall or more “either under construction, with consent, or likely to be given the green light in the Square Mile”. These include 55 Bishopsgate 63 storeys, 85 Gracechurch Street 32 storeys and One Undershaft 74 storeys.
One recent planning decision which has proved particularly controversial relates to the redevelopment of the former BT headquarters near St Paul’s Cathedral. In 2020, the Corporation approved plans by NG Devco Limited, an investment vehicle for real estate firm Orion Capital Managers, to part-demolish and part-refurbish the building on Newgate Street. Included in the proposal was a commitment to public terraces on the roof, providing views of St Paul’s.
However, a subsequent application was filed in July 2023, in which the public access was removed. Rather than go back to the planning committee, this new application was instead approved by the City’s Chief Planning Officer, Gwyn Richards, leading to members questioning whether democratic process was followed.
Among those querying the move was Alderwoman Susan Pearson, a representative for Cripplegate ward and a resident in the City. She told the LDRS that decisions made by the Corporation...
To continue reading
Request your trial