黑洞社区

Boris Johnson鈥檚 own planning officers have advised him to refuse permission for the controversial Bishopsgate Goodsyard scheme featuring towers by PLP.

The Mayor of London last year used his powers to take over determination for the 4.4 ha scheme from Tower Hamlets and Hackney councils at the request of developers Hammerson and Ballymore.

The proposal, which straddles part of the boundary between the two east London authorities in Shoreditch, would provide up to 1,356 new homes and 65,000m² of commercial space in 12 new buildings of up to 46 storeys in height, the tallest elements of which were designed by PLP.

After Johnson announced he would decide the scheme鈥檚 fate himself, both Tower Hamlets and Hackney left to their own devices.

A released ahead of a mayoral determination meeting next week reveals that Greater London Authority planners are giving Johnson the same advice.

It says that while the redevelopment of the Goodsyard site is supported by the mayor, the current proposals would result in 鈥渦nacceptable and avoidable significant negative impacts鈥�.

In particular, the GLA planning officers said the scheme鈥檚 density, height, massing and layout are 鈥渘ot appropriate鈥� and would affect the daylight of the local area near the northern side of the development that 鈥渃ould not be justified鈥�.

Other reasons for the scheme鈥檚 rejection included 鈥渟ubstantial harm鈥� to the former railway yard site鈥檚 heritage, caused by the proposed demolition of a wall connected to its Grade II-listed Oriel Gateway.

GLA officers also said the development would cause 鈥渕inor harm鈥� to the setting of the Tower of London, a UNESO World Heritage Site, the Grade I-listed Geffrye Museum, and nearby conservation areas at Redchurch Street, Elder Street, Brick Lane and Fournier Street.

Johnson could go against his officers鈥� recommendations at the April 18 hearing in public 鈥� set to be one the last such event of his tenure as mayor. Johnson has called in 15 schemes over the years and waived through each one.

The Goodsyard scheme has attracted substantial negative reaction since it was first made public two years ago. In a the Spitalfields Society said the proposals were 鈥渢he most poorly conceived and damaging development鈥� it had ever been asked to review.

Before Johnson took over the scheme, amendments downsizing the scheme鈥檚 tallest elements had already been lodged.

As well as PLP, the project design team includes Buckley Gray Yeoman, Chris Dyson Architects, Faulkner Browns Architects and Spacehub.

The Goodsyard site has been largely derelict since a huge fire in the 1960s but in addition to the Oriel Gate it is home to the Grade II-listed Braithwaite Viaduct, due to be preserved in the proposal.