Hammerson’s and Ballymore’s revised proposals for the development of Bishopsgate Goodsyard, E1, have been called in by mayor of London Boris Johnson.
The move follows a request from the joint venture developers of the 10-acre Shoreditch site under rules which allow the mayor to intervene if an application has not been determined within 16 weeks of being submitted.
Revised plans designed by PLP Architects and Buckley Grey Yeoman were submitted to the London boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets earlier this year, following criticism of earlier designs submitted in July 2014.
A spokesman for the mayor said: “More than a year ago an application was submitted to the local authorities and a formal request has now been made to the mayor to take over as planning authority.
“Bishopsgate Goodsyard, which has stood derelict for over 50 years, is the biggest site around Tech City in east London and would create hundreds of jobs and homes for Londoners. The mayor has decided to call in the application and will consider all of the planning issues before taking a decision in due course.”
The revisions to the July 2014 application significantly increase the volume of office space, while reducing the heights of several residential towers and changing the mix of flats to provide more family homes.
Overall the revisions, which take in feedback from the Great London Authority’s first-stage report on the project and come in the face of vocal opposition from locals, will see 108 fewer homes delivered.
The joint venture developers, which have been working on the scheme since 2003, have attempted to reconcile the often contradictory aims of the two local authorities in which the site lies – Hackney and Tower Hamlets – as well as the numerous local groups campaigning to preserve the Shoreditch area.
Ballymore managing director John Mulryan said: “The mayor, having already positively acknowledged the changes that have been made to the scheme, has recognised the major strategic significance of the site with its complex interfaces between two boroughs and has decided to determine the application himself.
“The Goodsyard is one of London’s most challenging regeneration schemes. It has the potential to deliver new high quality flexible office space which will accommodate over 7,000 new jobs and provide vital new space for the growing demands from media and technology businesses that will ensure the continued success of Tech City. The site will also deliver over 1,350 much-needed new homes including on site affordable homes, along with London’s first elevated 2.4-acre public park, new community spaces and unique retail space delivered within the site’s historic arches.”
