A public inquiry into the City of London Corporation’s draft local plan, City Plan 2040, begins on Tuesday, March 25. This plan, which will shape the development of the Square Mile for the next 15 years, includes strategies for transport, green spaces, and the creation of more than one million square metres of office floorspace. While it outlines plans to transform the City, including a focus on becoming a net-zero city, concerns have arisen about the impact on heritage sites, particularly St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London.
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Historic England and St Paul’s Cathedral have expressed concerns that the Corporation’s approach to increasing office space, particularly within designated tall building zones, may cause significant harm to the historic environment. Historic England argues that the draft plan prioritises economic growth over environmental and social objectives, warning that this imbalance could undermine truly sustainable development. They stress that development should create net gains across all three elements—economic, social, and environmental—not favour one over the others.
In response, the City of London Corporation has defended the plan, asserting that the City Plan 2040 is based on a robust evidence base. A spokesperson explained that the demand for quality office space is expected to rise as workers and businesses return to the Square Mile, attracted by its vibrant and dynamic environment. The Corporation claims the plan strikes a balance between heritage conservation and economic growth, with policies designed to protect historic assets, including the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral, while promoting development in areas less sensitive to growth.
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The inquiry, which will feature a series of hearings until June, is being held at the Guildhall and will be streamed on YouTube. The sessions will provide further insight into the tensions between heritage conservation and the Corporation’s ambition to expand office space in the heart of London.
