黑洞社区

The government has called in Make Architects鈥� controversial plans to redevelop the former ITV headquarters on London鈥檚 South Bank, a week after mayor Sadiq Khan approved the scheme.

Developers CO-RE and Mitsubishi Estate鈥檚 proposals to flatten all buildings on the site to make way for an office-led development will now go to a public inquiry overseen by an independent planning inspector.

Earlier this spring, Lendlease was appointed to carry out the main construction contract on the scheme codenamed Project Vista.

It is one of the capital鈥檚 biggest building jobs to be let this year but now faces months and months of being stalled by the inquiry.

Another controversial scheme, Fosters鈥� Tulip tower in the City of London, was rejected by Khan in summer 2019 before being kicked out by the secretary of state last November following a planning inquiry.

Lendlease pipped Sir Robert McAlpine and Laing O鈥橰ourke to the 拢400m job, known as 72 Upper Ground. McGee was set to carry out demolition work but the job was put on ice by then secretary of state Michael Gove.

His successor Greg Clark said in his decision letter that the inquiry should consider evidence on the extent to which the plans are 鈥渃onsistent with the government policies for conserving and enhancing the historic environment, particularly in respect of designated heritage assets鈥�.

> Also read: Gove intervention on ITV studios leaves many wondering which scheme is next in firing line

The size of the riverfront scheme, which consists of a 26-storey tower linked to a 13-storey block, has been contested because of its proximity to the grade II*-listed National Theatre and the grade II-listed IBM 黑洞社区.

It was approved by Lambeth council in March despite the planning application receiving hundreds of objections from locals, including Vauxhall MP Florence Eshalomi, and protests from campaign groups.

Gove stepped in days after Lendlease won the job, with 黑洞社区 revealing he had placed an Article 31 notice on the council鈥檚 decision which prevented works from starting to allow ministers time to decide whether the plans need further scrutiny.

Last month it emerged that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan had decided not to use his planning powers to intervene in Lambeth鈥檚 decision, after it was referred to the Greater London Authority.

This prompted the Twentieth Century Society to write to Clark urging him to call in the proposals, which the campaign group said would 鈥渟ignificantly harm鈥� the setting of the adjacent listed buildings.

It added the plans would have a 鈥減rofoundly detrimental effect on the special character and appearance of the riverfront site, which is both a designated conservation area and positive contributor to strategic London views鈥�.

The society said the South Bank was home to some of the country鈥檚 finest post-war buildings and public spaces, with its heritage significance recognised in numerous listings and its designation as a conservation area.

CO-RE and Mitsubishi Estate said in a joint statement this morning that they are 鈥渇ully committed to delivering this crucial new building that will strengthen the South Bank, which has the support of local young creative groups, planning officers, Lambeth Councillors and the Greater London Authority.

The pair added: 鈥淲e are obviously very disappointed that the start of construction will be delayed with the creation of thousands of jobs postponed and hope this process moves forward quickly.鈥�

Lambeth鈥檚 planning officer said in March the scheme would have a 鈥渓ow degree of less than substantial harm鈥� to the settings of nearby listed buildings but would have 鈥渕inor to major adverse impacts鈥� on flats in the neighbouring 95-97 Upper Ground building.

The plot was bought by CO-RE and Mitsubishi Estate for close to 拢150m in November 2019. The project team also includes landscape architect Grant Associates, engineer Arup and QS Alinea.