Letter from London

摘要

Are we doomed to another public inquiry into a major commercial property development in London because of its 'view impact'? That is what Westminster Council and English Heritage (EH) are hoping with their legal action over a proposed office and residential design by David Chipperfield next to Waterloo Station. I should immediately declare an interest, since I was on the selection panel for the design team, chosen as a result of an invited competition organised by the joint-venture client, Chelsfield and London & Regional Properties. The finalist practices were Chipperfield, Grimshaw and Hopkins. The resulting design was approved by Lambeth Council and supported by the Mayor of London. The Secretary of State responsible for planning, Eric Pickles, reviewed the permission and determined that it was a local matter and that there was no reason for him to intervene, though he was lobbied by Westminster, EH and culture minister Ed Vaizey.