Ministers have given approval for skyscrapers to be built in the area surrounding the Tower of London. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook announced on Thursday that he will withdraw his objections to the City Plan, which outlines development ambitions for the Square Mile until 2040.
The decision follows a planning inspector's conclusion that the City Plan strikes a better balance between heritage protection and economic growth than an alternative proposal from heritage group Historic England. Pennycook stated he was reassured by these findings, adding that the City Plan would "provide substantial safeguards to protect the Tower of London World Heritage Site and mitigate the risk of harm to the Tower’s attributes of Outstanding Universal Value."
The City of London Corporation welcomed the decision, with policy chairman Chris Hayward calling it an "outstanding result for the City, for London and for the wider UK economy." The Corporation expects the City Plan to be formally adopted later this year, despite a months-long delay.