Planning and Licensing – News Update

April 2021

  • The BA is drafting its response to the consultation on the City’s Draft Local Plan.
  • A small group is proposing changes to the City’s Code of Practice for Deconstruction and Construction sites to make it stronger in its protection of neighbours of building sites. Contact Jane Smith for more information

March 2021

The first quarter has proved to be a relatively quiet period so far, with little in the way of new applications of relevance to the Barbican Estate to report.

The current situation with regard to recent planning applications is as follows:

Planning applications approved by the City of London Planning Officers

  • Ironmongers Hall: addition of two floor to Ferroner’s House (ref:20/00986/FULL)

Planning applications approved by the Planning & Transportation Committee but yet to be formally ratified

  • 150 Aldersgate Street: two additional floors + expansion into Bartholomew Place (ref:20/00371/FULMAJ)
  • 1-12 Long Lane: demolition of existing buildings and construction of 10-storey office building (ref: 18/01020/FULMAJ)
  • 18-19 Long Lane: refurbishment and increase in height of 2 floors (ref: 20/00798/FULL)

Planning applications submitted but still to come to the Planning & Transportation Committee for approval

  • The Turrett – conversion into residential flat (ref:20/00272/LBC)
  • Wood Street Police Station: conversion of site into luxury hotel and spa (ref: 20/00773/FULL & 20/00774/LBC)
  • 1 London Wall: creation of new external terrace on 10th floor (ref:20/00966/FULL)

Planning applications expected imminently

  • 2 Aldermanbury/55 Basinghall Street: major expansion of footprint (24500sq m to 45000 sq m) and closure of Highwalk from London Wall to Guildhall whilst construction work taking place

If you would like any further information on these or see any previous applications made over the past five years then please contact Sue Cox for a full list.

Licensing

On the Licensing front, the number of applications submitted for pavement licences has increased significantly in the past few weeks as the prospect of the easing of lockdown gathers pace. None, so far anyway, have been located in the Barbican area.

Area news update

  • Centre for Music no more….but Barbican Centre to get major facelift
    The City has confirmed that “given the current unprecedented circumstances, its ambitious plans for a Centre for Music will not be progressed. Alternative proposals for the site – currently occupied by the Museum of London – will be brought forward over the coming months”. The accompanying press release states that instead there is to be “a major renewal of the City’s leading cultural destination, the Barbican Centre” with “plans to reimagine and upgrade the 40-year-old complex”. To achieve this “a competitive selection process to find a world-class architect-led team to take this project forward will be launched later this year”.
  • Crossrail building to be leased by TikTok
    A recent article in the Evening Standard reported that TikTok is to occupy the office building (called Kaleidoscope) above the Crossrail station in Long Lane. The lease is for 15 years, with a tenant option to break at year 10. A market rent free period has also been granted. TikTok is hoping to move in to the building in early 2022 and it could house around 850 UK employees.
  • Planning & Transportation Committee
    The next meeting of the Planning & Transportation Committee is to be held on Tuesday 13th April 2021. The main agenda items include the planning application for the demolition of the existing 7-storey building and construction of a new 49-storey office led development at 31 Bury Street EC3A 5AR (Aldgate ward). We would note that recent meetings have seen approvals given for much higher and larger developments than the sites they are to replace which will significantly change the City skyline. These include 2-3 Finsbury Avenue, 70 Gracechurch Street, 55 Gracechurch Street, 186-190 Bishopsgate and Aldgate High Street.