Local campaigners welcome the intervention of Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, Rt. Hon Greg Clark MP who has used his powers to call in a planning application for ‘The Slab’, a proposed re-development of the former ITV Studios, 72 Upper Ground on London’s South Bank.

The Secretary of State said that he wants a public inquiry to look in particular at:

a)    is the proposal in accordance with statutory development plans;

b)     the extent to which the proposed development (including its scale and massing) is consistent with the Government policies for conserving and enhancing the historic environment, in respect of designated heritage assets;  

c)     any other matters the Inspector considers relevant. 

His action follows Lambeth Council support of the proposals in March 2022 and the London Mayor’s decision last week not to intervene.  

Greg Clark's call in followed a campaign with support from across the political spectrum, including those living and working locally, Londoners, and others like you who care about our city.

Local resident and SOS Save Our South Bank Action Group Co-Chair Hannah Quigley said: “We welcome the local inquiry and will fully participate in the process to find a more suitable proposal for this important heritage location. The South Bank deserves better for its neighbouring residents and millions of visitors to the area alike”.

Michael Ball, WCDG said: “Mitsubishi’s plans are unsustainable, overbearing, and just plain ugly. This decision by the Secretary of State is an acknowledgement that neither Lambeth council nor the Mayor of London properly scrutinised the impact on listed national buildings, on some of the capital’s greatest views, or on the climate emergency. Thanks to Greg Clark, these plans will be suitably examined at last”.

David Hopkins, Coin Street Community Builders said: “We are relieved the Secretary of State’s decision now means these overbearing office proposals will receive the scrutiny they deserve. We’ve raised serious concerns about the harm this development would cause in wiping out daylight to neighbouring social housing and casting the riverside into shadow. The National Theatre, Historic England and the 20th Century Society have rightly pointed out the damage ‘The Slab’ would do to the views along the South Bank.

Vauxhall MP Florence Eshalomi has questioned whether more offices on this site are more important than housing, which does not feature at all.

We thank Greg Clark MP for listening to more than 4,680 people who have called for a public inquiry, underlining what a special place the South Bank has in the hearts of this nation”.    

We want to thank you and everyone who came together and supported this  campaign together which includes National Theatre, Twentieth Century Society and Historic England.

Thank you for your continued support. We could not have got this far without your help.