The sheer number of skyscrapers due to share space alongside the Tower of London has raised the possibility that the building should join the list of endangered World Heritage Sites.
The proposal, reportedly tabled yesterday by Unesco, would mean the capital’s most famous fortress would become the only building in the developed world on the endangered list.
Government officials have until the end of the month to explain to the UN agency‘s World Heritage Committee why the Tower should not be listed, The Independent reported.
According to the paper, officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are likely to say that the correct planning procedures were followed for developments to the nearby area.
But only last year, the World Heritage Committee noted “with great concern” the development proposals, amid ‘deep regrets’ that the government had not assessed their impact on the Tower.
The building plans include the controversial ‘Shard of Glass’ tower, tipped to be the tallest tower block in Europe, which will light up London’s skyline with 66 floors climbing over 300 metres high.
But responding yesterday to the concerns, an official at the culture department said it would not be possible to “row back” on permission for the Shard of Glass, which was granted in 2003.
He reportedly added: “Our response to these criticisms will be that our planning controls are among the most sophisticated in the world. As a result we are pretty confident we will not be placed on the danger list.”
Despite the reassurance, the government has been tasked to give a timetable for “corrective action” before the end of the month, in advance of Unesco’s final decision in June.
Jan 9, 2007
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