Plans pulled for tower near Bevis Marks

Plans have been pulled for a 21-storey tower that objectors claimed would block light from the UK’s oldest synagogue. The proposals for Merchant Land’s 33 Creechurch Lane, EC3, have been withdrawn from the City of London Corporation’s planning portal without explanation. Earlier this year, the Foundation for Jewish Heritage said the tower would have an “overbearing and overshadowing impact on the courtyard” of Bevis Marks Synagogue. Last year the City Corporation refused planning consent for the nearby Bury House at 31 Bury Street. At the time, the synagogue’s rabbi, Shalom Morris, said the scheme would “diminish the spiritually uplifting and practically necessary light that filters into the synagogue”. In its letter regarding 33 Creechurch Lane, the Foundation for Jewish Heritage said: “Precedent has been set for the refusal of planning consent by reason of the overbearing impact of development on the courtyard of the synagogue and we believe that the same reasoning should be applied in the refusal of planning consent for proposed development at 33 Creechurch Lane.” Katherine McCullough, Merchant Land’s development director and head of UK property, said: “As well as the subsequent strong objections in terms of the synagogue, the period since submission in 2017 has seen Brexit, the pandemic, a sharpening of focus on the climate change emergency and new economic and political uncertainties. “Merchant Land is a local business that has owned the site since 2004 and believes in the City as a unique destination for visitors and home to both businesses and residents. The withdrawal of this scheme is an opportunity to reassess what is best for the site’s future, and we will continue to discuss this with the synagogue and all other stakeholders as future plans develop.”   To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@eg.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @EGPropertyNews Click here to view other planning applications in the City core >>