One of the UK’s tallest skyscrapers could be approved by the City of London on Friday.
The 285m (935ft) glass tower at 55 Bishopsgate, close to the Gherkin, would be the third-largest skyscraper in the Square Mile and among the tallest in the country if given the green light.
City planners have recommended the proposals be given the go ahead, despite fears raised by Historic England and St Paul’s Cathedral that it could harm views of Sir Christopher Wren’s historic landmark.
If voted through by the City’s planning sub-committee, the plans would then go to Mayor Sadiq Khan to decide whether to step in.
The skyscraper would become one of the most visible buildings on the London skyline.
It would form part of the City’s “eastern cluster”, which already has the Gherkin at 30 St Mary Axe, “Walkie Talkie” at 20 Fenchurch Street, “Cheesegrater” at 122 Leadenhall Street and “Scalpel” at 52 Lime Street among its landmarks.
Under the proposals, the existing 20th century building at 55 Bishopsgate would be demolished for the skyscraper, which includes an adjacent 22-storey tower, to provide office space for around 7,000 City workers.
A free public viewing gallery at summit level and an outdoor viewing platform at rooftop level would be built to provide “360 degree views” across London.
The £600m scheme by architects Arney Fender Katsalidis would also include a publicly-accessible ground floor with pop-up retail space and a ‘sky garden’ conservatory.
In a letter opposing the skyscraper, St Paul’s Cathedral said it was concerned that the development would “materially detract from the townscape and heritage value of St Paul’s as a prominent historic landmark.”
The view has been echoed by Historic England, which said it was concerned that it would “harm both the City’s historic environment and the wider London skyline.”
However, planners have recommended approval due to its “exceptional benefit”, including delivering 14 per cent of the required commercial space to “meet projected economic and employment growth demand” in the City.
They said it would “contribute significantly to inward investment in the Square Mile,” and that harm to views of St Paul’s would be a “lower level of less than substantial harm.”
55 Bishopsgate would be 10m (33ft) shorter than neighbouring 22 Bishopsgate, which is currently the tallest building in the Square Mile, if given the go ahead.
However, the tallest building in the Square Mile is set to be the approved but not yet built ‘Trellis’ at 1 Undershaft, at 305m (1,000 feet) high.
The tallest building in London and the UK is The Shard at London Bridge at a height of 310m (1017 feet).
