It has been reported that The Local Government Association (LGA) has slammed the new powers the mayor of London will get over developments in April. Ken Livingstone is set to have the power to overturn councils, a feat not possible in the past, where developers’ have rejected schemes feared to be too tall. The LGA warned tall buildings would appear “anywhere and everywhere” and denounced the new powers as a mistake. Critics fear the mayor could push dozens of skyscrapers through the planning process even if there is local opposition. Could this threaten London's sense of identity as a whole?
February 2008 Archives
Are developers constructing too many tall buildings? More imaginative ways to innovate than simply building tall are becoming available to architects and planners. The Financial Times states that there is evidence of a transforming London, but at the same time concerns are growing about buildings overshadowing key London architectural gems, such as St Paul’s Cathedral, as developers continue to build in a “reach for the sky” approach. The columnist says his biggest fear is loss of local individuality. Another opinion states that the “forest of skyscrapers that is soon to scar the capital’s skylines” is first on the hit list if London is to retain its sense of uniqueness.
