London | “walkie-talkie” tower | Rafael Vinoly

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The "walkie-talkie" tower inquiry: The case against

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With the two-week planning inquiry into Rafael Vinoly’s “walkie-talkie” tower for Land Securities at 20 Fenchurch Street starting on Tuesday, English Heritage has released details of its case against the building.
EH objects to the design of the 160m tower, which tapers outwards as it rises to maximise floor space at the upper levels, on the grounds that it would appear excessively dominant over its surroundings.
Specifically, the heritage quango believes the proposed tower contravenes the City of London's own policies on the protection of its listed buildings and conservation areas, drawn up under planning policy guidance 15, a case it made when 20 Fenchurch Street was considered and approved by the City in September last year.
It will also argue that Vinoly's tower fails to respect CABE and EH guidance on the development of tall buildings.
Finally, EH believes the walkie-talkie would harm the setting of the Tower of London world heritage site and would spoil important cross-London views.
Paddy Pugh, Head of Advice for London at English Heritage, said: “This would become London’s ugliest and most oppressive building.
"Londoners have not even been asked whether they want this building in their city.

"The harm it would cause to the historic environment outweighs any benefits the additional floorspace could bring to London’s economy."
EH has also been drawing up its proposals on how development within the view east from Waterloo Bridge, which is recognized as an important view in the Mayor's draft London Views Mangement Framework, should be controlled.
As the diagram below illustrates, it believes that structures between the cluster of tall buildings proposed for the Aldgate area and the furthest visible point of the river should remain below a visual arc drawn between the two.

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However, EH faces a uphill task at the planning inquiry.
Secretary of state for Communities and Local Government Ruth Kelly decided to hold it despite strong support for 20 Fenchurch Street’s design from CABE and the backing of the Mayor and the City of London.

Postscript : See a flythrough of Rafael Vinoly's "walkie-talkie" via the BD Online Podcast - www.bdonline.co.uk/podcast

Fonte: BDonline