GLA steps in to determine British Land’s Paddington plans

The Greater London Authority has told Westminster City Council it will determine British Land’s application for a landmark building at its Paddington campus. The GLA will act as the planning authority for the proposed development, at 5 Kingdom Street, W2, after Westminster refused permission for its 21-storey office tower. Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills, told Westminster City Council that the development would have a “significant impact”, since the scheme could help the authority meet its targets and boost the economy in the capital. Pipe also highlighted that the site is located in an area of nationally significant economic activity, contributing towards the strategic employment function of London as a whole. “Failure to promote development on sites such as this could potentially impact upon the economic health of the central activities zone, the Paddington opportunity area and London as a whole, as well as wider regeneration objectives for the opportunity area,” the GLA said. To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette