City Corp readies to future-proof the Square Mile
The City of London Corporation is gearing up to sign off a sprawling new plan that will influence how the Square Mile is developed for the next 16 years.
The City Plan 2040 will be debated by the corporation’s planning and transportation committee at a special meeting on 31 January before being passed on to the policy and resources committee and then the Court of Common Council.
The document – information on which spans more than 600 pages in the meeting agenda – is described as “setting the policies and strategic priorities that will guide the growth of the Square Mile”.
The City of London Corporation is gearing up to sign off a sprawling new plan that will influence how the Square Mile is developed for the next 16 years.
The City Plan 2040 will be debated by the corporation’s planning and transportation committee at a special meeting on 31 January before being passed on to the policy and resources committee and then the Court of Common Council.
The document – information on which spans more than 600 pages in the meeting agenda – is described as “setting the policies and strategic priorities that will guide the growth of the Square Mile”.
Years in the making, initial ideas were consulted on first in 2016, with a draft plan consulted on in 2018/19, and a proposed submission version consulted on in 2021.
Last year further public consultations were held around issues such as tall buildings, heritage and culture, housing and transportation, sustainability and health and wellbeing. The version now in front of committee members takes into account those consultations and changes to the National Planning Policy Framework last December.
A spatial strategy sets out new guidelines “to ensure a sustainable pattern of development is delivered, and to bring forward development in a way that enhances the unique character of the Square Mile”.
The plan identifies “key areas of change” including Fleet Street, the Barbican, Blackfriars, the City Cluster and Liverpool Street, which it said will see “either a greater proportion of net additional floorspace than other parts of the City, or will undergo more significant change to their built form”.
The floorspace lift will be concentrated on the cluster, Fleet Street, Ludgate and Liverpool Street, the plan adds. There will also be a focus on new housing, including student accommodation, as well as retail growth in areas such as Moorgate and Liverpool Street, Leadenhall Market, Cheapside and Fleet Street.
New hotels will be encouraged, while so-called “green corridors” will link up the sites of importance for nature conservation.
Once reviewed by the corporation, the plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State for public examination.
To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@eg.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @EGPropertyNews
Image © London From The Rooftops/Bav Media/Shutterstock
