The London Assembly has unanimously agreed a motion calling on Mayor Boris Johnson to rethink his approach to tall buildings.
The Assembly has expressed its concern about the impact on the London skyline of the 230 skyscrapers currently in the development pipeline, and has outlined the actions it would like the Mayor to take.
Firstly the Assembly would like to see a skyline commission established to offer advice and carry out reviews.
Secondly members call for more rigorous masterplanning and greater engagement with local communities.
The Assembly would also like to see the development of a 3D model of the capital’s skyline so that proposed developments could be better visualised by planners.
Finally, members call on the Mayor to implement the requirement that all developers with proposals for tall buildings should consider other building plans.
The motion says that the cumulative impact of tall buildings on the London skyline is not being considered and that the result is damaging to the capital’s ‘heritage, character and architectural distinctiveness.’
“Tall buildings can make a positive contribution to city life and the skyline, but only if they’re in the right places, meet the right needs and respect the character and identity of the surrounding area,” the motion continues.
“However, the flaws of ill-considered tall buildings have been well demonstrated by the skyline campaign.”
Policy on tall buildings is included in the London Plan, but the Assembly believes that this is not being implemented, and that height limits established by Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks are being ignored.
Only 20 per cent of the skyscrapers with current planning permission are commercial developments.
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