We’re delighted to let you know that the Honourable Mrs Justice Lang DBE has granted Save Our South Bank permission to apply for planning statutory review.

It’s fantastic that we will have the case against 72 Upper Ground heard in court, but with that comes mounting legal fees. That’s why we have more asks of you:

Please share our CrowdJustice crowdfunding link far and wide to help us drum up more support across all the people who care as passionately as us about the future of London’s South Bank.

Barristers for the Secretary of State and Mitsubishi stated that we didn’t have a case, but the Judge disagreed and ruled that we have an arguable case which should proceed to a full hearing.

This means our case against Michael Gove’s decision to approve “The Slab”will be heard in full at the High Court!

Thank you so much for your continued support. None of this would be possible without you and all the people who have been tirelessly campaigning against “The Slab” for three years now.

But we need you and new supporters now more than ever.

A reminder of our challenge

Heritage

From the outset, Historic England was concerned about the impact of “The Slab” on protected views of St Paul’s Cathedral.

In February, Michael Gove, Secretary of State, published his decision agreeing with the Inspector’s recommendations, but disagreeing with and expressing strong reservations about the scale, massing, materials, and townscape impact of the proposals.

He considered the development would dominate views and cause heritage harm to the South Bank conservation area, Roupell Conservation area, and to the setting and significance of 3 listed buildings - Somerset House, National Theatre, IBM.

However, he did not give his views or reasons as to the impact on protected views of St Paul's, Waterloo Bridge and five other Conservation Areas. This is the first ground of our legal challenge.

Planning

We believe the Secretary of State misinterpreted planning policy and failed to recognise the requirement to deliver housing as part of the development. The site is allocated for mixed use including housing, and the previous consent included 213 homes.

We also assert that the Secretary of State misinterpreted planning policy when it comes to the circular economy and the requirement to consider whether the existing building on site could be retained to deliver residential uses. The construction of the development would generate 103,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Remember: please share our CrowdJustice crowdfunding link far and wide 

Thank you from the Save Our South Bank Action Group saveoursouthbank22@gmail.com