Block the Bloomsbury Skyscraper!

Started by Save Museum Street.

We request the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to “call in” the planning proposals for the Bloomsbury Skyscraper, so that the grant of planning permission for this massive, controversial and environmentally damaging development can be overturned.

If you would like to donate to this cause please use the following link, thank you, https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-museum-street

Why this petition matters.

The sites in question are on the borders of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area and the Covent Garden Conservation Area, with some of the affected plots (including listed buildings) situated within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area. They are very close to important monuments such as the British Museum and heritage sites such as Bedford Square and Covent Garden.

The Camden Council Planning committee has given the go ahead for the Bloomsbury Skyscraper, a speculative office development in the form of a bulky 78 metre structure which would tower over the entire Bloomsbury Conservation Area. If this development goes ahead, it would do permanent harm to Bloomsbury, as well as the central London skyline and views. This permission was granted despite:

Evidence from experts appointed by Camden that retrofit and refurbishment of existing buildings should be prioritised;
A large number of objections, both from individuals (over 500 over the last 2 years) and from organisations such as Historic England, The Georgian Group, the Victorian Society, SAVE Britain’s Heritage, Westminster City Council and the Bloomsbury Conservation Area Advisory Committee. The proposals conflict with national heritage policies.

The development should not be allowed to go ahead, for the following principal reasons:

Heritage: unacceptable damage to the unique area and internationally important Grade 1 buildings and damage to the conservation areas. Also, the height and bulk of the building is clearly in conflict with the London Plan's Tall Buildings policies.

Sustainability: the development would cause the emitting over 64,000 tonnes of Co2 equivalent by comparison of a retrofit development. It drives a coach and horses through the Mayor's Emergency Climate Change policies including the London Plan and his aspirations to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2035.

Housing: The “planning gain” proposed consists of a modest increase in residential units, which would generally have natural light levels well below applicable standards. The benefits offered are inadequate.

 

Camden Council claim that, 'Conservation areas ensure that new buildings fit in with the existing special character of the area.'

Clearly this building would be out of place and irrevocably damage the character of London's oldest conservation zone. 

The Mayor has powers to “call in“ for review these proposals. We are asking the Mayor to do so.

It is important that these proposals, affecting London as a whole, not just Camden, be independently assessed and, following proper review, rejected. 

Save Museum Street is a coalition of amenity societies, community organisations, businesses and residents across Camden and Westminster which has been set up to monitor development proposals for this important and conspicuous central London site.

We need your help to achieve this, please sign and help us Save Museum Street.

THANK YOU!