The City of London is to launch a consultation on the need for new hotels amid a growing perception that a sufficient number have now been approved, according to new planning officer Annie Hampson.
Speaking to EG after her first City planning meeting since the retirement of Peter Rees after 29 years, Hampson said: “We are beginning to think that we have achieved enough hotels in the City but that is again something we are looking at.
“We are also going to carry out a study to see whether that is correct or not.”
Her comments came as the City’s planning committee approved plans by Soho House and New York hotel developer Sydell Group to convert the Grade I listed former Midland Bank HQ at 27 Poultry, EC2, into a 252 bed hotel.
The committee also approved plans to fit a shading system to the Walkie Talkie skyscraper to limit the impact of solar glare reflected from its curved façade.
Hampson said she would bring continuity in the City’s approach, including on tall buildings.
“I’m sure there will be a few more tall buildings in the Eastern cluster area of the City coming forward over the next few months,” she said.
“Certainly the general situation seems to be that it is very busy in the City – there are lots of people coming in wanting to talk about all sorts of schemes so I think we are about to hit a very busy exciting period.”
Rees has retired from the City Corporation to take up a post at the Bartlett.
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
