City Plan 2040 cleared to proceed after Tower of London heritage concerns addressed

The City of London Corporation’s draft local plan, known as the City Plan 2040, has been given the go-ahead to proceed. The Government has confirmed it is now satisfied that the blueprint for new tall buildings will not significantly harm the Tower of London. This decision follows a period of scrutiny prompted by concerns that proposed developments could impact the historic landmark and potentially lead to its inclusion on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger.

Inspectors' Findings on Heritage Protection

Independent Planning Inspectors Alastair Phillips and Jameson Bridgwater informed the City of London Corporation on September 23 that they concluded the City Plan 2040 adequately protects the heritage of the historic site. Their assessment came after an additional hearing held on September 2, initiated by Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, who had delayed the plan's adoption. The Inspectors were asked to consider alternative proposals from Historic England regarding the placement of new skyscrapers near the Tower.

In their letter, the Inspectors stated they were not convinced that Historic England's proposed contours would lead to a materially different heritage outcome compared to those already in the City Plan. They noted that while Historic England's proposals aimed to reduce potential harm, the heritage benefits were considered limited and localised. Conversely, the risks to economic development and office growth were deemed more clearly evidenced and substantial.

Balancing Growth and Heritage

The City of London Corporation believes the plan strikes a balance between heritage protection and economic growth. Deputy Chris Hayward, Policy Chair at the Corporation, described the outcome as "an outstanding result for the City, for London and for the wider UK economy." The Corporation argued that its proposed contours allowed for more space between the Tower and the City Cluster of tall buildings, with minimal impact on heritage while supporting economic expansion.

The friction between development targets and heritage preservation was a central theme during the City Plan hearings. Stakeholders, including Historic England and Historic Royal Palaces, had repeatedly voiced concerns about skyscraper proposals. These concerns led to the plan's delay and further scrutiny after UNESCO's World Heritage Committee requested a report from the UK Government by February 2027, warning of potential inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that the Government is reassured the proposed City Plan "does everything it can to adequately protect the Tower of London against unsuitable development without restricting economic growth." The Inspectors are expected to publish their final report in the coming weeks. The plan will then proceed through the Corporation’s internal committees, with the aim of adoption before the end of the year.

Next Steps

Following the publication of the Inspectors' final report, the City Plan 2040 will move through the City of London Corporation’s internal committee processes. The Corporation hopes to formally adopt the plan before the close of 2024.