Controversial scheme set to be heard next month
The head of the planning committee that will rule on Foster + Partners鈥� controversial Tulip tourist attraction has admitted any decision to approve it could well be called in for a public inquiry by the secretary of state.
Chris Hayward鈥檚 comments come as the City of London planning committee hearing into the 305m tall structure is set to take place next month.
鈥淲e鈥檙e aiming for 2 April,鈥� Hayward told 黑洞社区. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the date we鈥檙e hoping to bring it to committee.鈥�
The chairman of the City鈥檚 planning and transportation committee said the scheme will be 鈥渢he most controversial I have ever heard鈥� and added: 鈥淸The building] is purely leisure. From the City鈥檚 point of view, it鈥檚 very different to anything we鈥檝e ever looked at.鈥�
And he admitted: 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of people against it. Whatever decision we make, certainly if we consent it, the mayor can call it in, indeed the secretary of state could call it in [and] I would not be at all surprised with a development like that if the secretary of state [called it in] for a public inquiry.鈥�
Hayward said he was still waiting to receive a planning report ahead of the 2 April hearing and added: 鈥淚t provides a different sort of building in the City, the like of which we鈥檝e never before. It鈥檚 an interesting design.鈥�
So far government heritage advisor Historic England, Tower of London custodian Historic Royal Palaces and the Greater London Authority have all given City planners critical feedback on the proposals 鈥� as has the authority鈥檚 own built-environment team.
The scheme has been earmarked for a site next to the Gherkin and created for that building鈥檚 owner 鈥� the billionaire banker Jacob J Safra.
Other firms working on the plans include Gherkin builder Skanska and consultant Alinea.
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