Mayor's proposals to increase London's viewing corridors would further restrict tall buildings

Building Design 5 June 2009
by Will Hirst

Mayor of London Boris Johnson today unveiled plans to further limit tall buildings in the capital by widening protected viewing corridors and in some cases doubling them.

New draft guidance, which is now the subject of public consultation, shows Johnson is sticking to his campaign pledge to strengthen the protection given to historic views of parliament, St Paul's Cathedral and other important sites from specific locations.

The London View Management Framework updates the current guidance from 2007 and massively increases the protection of the 10 existing viewing corridors, with the corridor from King Henry VIIIs Mound in Richmond to the St Paul's Cathedral widened from 70m to 150m.

Two new viewing corridors - from Parliament Hill to the Palace of Westminster and from the Serpentine Bridge to the Palace of Westminster - have been added while protection has increased for views of the Tower of London and Horse Guards Parade.

Johnson said: "We are privileged to enjoy a fabulous architectural heritage history as we go about our daily lives whether crossing one of the Thames bridges, walking along its banks, or from a higher, distant vantage point. We must protect those views at all costs.

"This new guidance will help ensure that new development fits in with that built heritage and show how new buildings can enhance, rather than detract from, some of our favourite views.

"By removing uncertainty it will also help speed up the planning and development process and help drive London's economy forward towards continued growth and prosperity in the coming decades."

Consultation closes on Friday September 4. Responses can be made by post to: Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, (Draft Revised London View Management Framework) Greater London Authority, Freepost LON15799, London SE1 2BR