Plans for a 62-storey tower that would be the tallest in the Square Mile have been recommended for approval by the City of London Corporation’s planning officer.
AXA Investment Managers Real Assets and Lipton Rogers proposed 22 Bishopsgate tower, EC2, which replaced the failed Pinnacle, will rise 912 ft and include over 1.3m sq ft of office space.
If the application for the PLP Architects designed scheme is approved by councillors next week it will be the tallest consented tower scheme in the City of London.
The planning officer’s report said the scheme’s proposed free public viewing gallery at the top of the tower was “critical to the acceptability of this major development” and that the scheme complied with the City’s local plan.
“The Mayor of London supports the scheme in strategic planning terms subject to matters of detail but emphasises that the public gallery with free access must be appropriately secured,” it added.
Objectors to the proposed tower include Historic Royal Palaces, Royal Parks and the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Islington which fear the scheme’s impact on the World Heritage Site and on views from the Royal Parks.
The Leatherseller’s Company has also objected to the scheme’s impact on their rights to light.
The Mayor of London will have 14 days to decide whether to approve the scheme or to determine the application himself following the City planning meeting on 17 November.
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
