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Views of how the tower could look, above and top right |
High Court challenge to ‘monstrous’ tower
City council and English Heritage oppose South Bank plans
PLANNING chiefs are attempting to derail plans to build a giant tower on the South Bank by mounting a High Court challenge.
In the latest twist to the long-running saga of the contoversial Doon Street Tower development, Westminster City Council has taken the fight to communities secretary Hazel Blears, who earlier this year overturned an inspector’s decision to scrap the tower.
Joined by English Heritage, they are calling on the developer to redraw plans for the 143-metre block because they claim it would be an eyesore, spoiling views across the river from Waterloo Bridge to Somerset House, and from St James’s Park towards Whitehall.
Lambeth Council initially approved the proposals, but following public outcry that the tower would dwarf the skyline, casting a shadow over the National Theatre, a planning inspector revoked its decision.
In August Ms Blears overruled her own inspector on the grounds that the community benefits brought by the development outweighed any objections to the size of the tower.
The High Court marks only the second time Westminster has formally objected to a scheme in another borough.
The block, built by the developer Coin Street Community Builders, would contain 329 flats, the sale of which would help fund a 25-metre swimming pool and leisure centre in a deprived corner of the South Bank.
The city council claims the community benefit would not be diminshed if the scheme was housed in a low-rise building.
Deputy leader Robert Davis said: “The preservation of St James’s Park, one of Britain’s most beautiful parks, is far more important than creating monstrously tall towers which will destroy London’s historic skyline for generations to come.
“We are not against the principle of tall buildings but the impact this building will have on some of London’s most popular visitor attractions is nothing short of architectural vandalism.”
Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: “We urge the secretary of state to respond positively to this challenge and to look again at a way in which this scheme can be delivered which avoids harm to one of London’s greatest assets, its heritage.”
Any court decision could take up to a year – but objectors are hoping that Ms Blears will have a change of heart and reopen the public inquiry.
In Lambeth, the Labour council believes Westminster’s views have already been taken into account.
A spokesman for Lambeth said: “The Doon Street scheme will bring substantial regeneration benefits to the area creating 423 new jobs, 329 new homes, and leisure opportunities. This legal challenge from Westminster Council and English Heritage will block progress by adding uncertainty and delay.
“The application has already been through an extremely rigorous planning process which has taken on board the views of Westminster Council and English Heritage, and the secretary of state already acknowledged their concerns when she made her decision.”
Coin Street Community Builders was unavailable for comment. |
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