The tower will stand 144m high behind the National Theatre
The public inquiry into Coin Street Community Builders’ (CSCB) proposals for a 43-storey skyscraper on London’s South Bank opened on Tuesday 12 February.
The 144m high residential tower will be sited on a largely derelict 13 acre site immediately behind the National Theatre on London’s South Bank.
The scheme will offer 329 new homes, including 282 private flats which will subsidise the public facilities.
Iain Tuckett, CSCB's group director, said: “Our proposals seek to secure and sustain much-needed community facilities and programmes on a long-term basis utilising social enterprise principles and an architectural and urban design solution of the highest quality.
"They continue the process of changing the South Bank from the bleak hostile area it was in the 1970s to a thriving, diverse, mixed use neighbourhood which offers hope for London's future.”
English Heritage was at the inquiry to give expert advice on the impact of the scheme on the historic environment. The organisation described the proposals as a “towering mistake” and urged the secretary of state Hazel Blears to refuse planning permission.
Philip Davies, planning and development director for London and the south east at English Heritage, commented: “This development will seriously harm two of London’s most treasured views; the world-famous view of Whitehall from the bridge in St James’s Park and the sublime symmetry of the courtyard of Somerset House when viewed from its entrance.
“English Heritage is certainly not calling for an embargo on new development along the South Bank but CSCB appear to have chosen to put a very tall building on this site for its own sake, regardless of the harm it will cause to the skyline of London. Londoners - and the millions of people who visit our capital each year - deserve better.”
Other critics include:
CABE
The Royal Parks
Westminster Council
The Trustees of Somerset House
The Georgian Group
The 20th Century Society
SAVE Britain’s Heritage
Gordon Forbes
Anthony Collins
Brian Perry and Adam Kawecki who worked with Denys Lasdun on the National Theatre
Lambeth Liberal Democrats
The Waterloo Community Development Forum
Manor of Kennington Residents' Association
Residents of Roupell St Conservation Area
