Secret London tunnels project set for Square Mile sign-off
Planning officers at the City of London Corporation have recommended approval for a scheme that would turn a mile-long series of tunnels into a new leisure offering.
The Kingsway Exchange Tunnels were kept under wraps by the Official Secrets Act for 70 years, having originally acted as bomb shelters during the Second World War. They were then used by the Special Operations Executive, the forerunner of MI5 and MI6.
The London Tunnels company, led by Australian banker Angus Murray, now wants to turn them into a £220m tourist attraction, complete with two exhibition spaces, the deepest bar in the UK and retail facilities.
Planning officers at the City of London Corporation have recommended approval for a scheme that would turn a mile-long series of tunnels into a new leisure offering.
The Kingsway Exchange Tunnels were kept under wraps by the Official Secrets Act for 70 years, having originally acted as bomb shelters during the Second World War. They were then used by the Special Operations Executive, the forerunner of MI5 and MI6.
The London Tunnels company, led by Australian banker Angus Murray, now wants to turn them into a £220m tourist attraction, complete with two exhibition spaces, the deepest bar in the UK and retail facilities.
The plans will need approval from the City of London Corporation at one end of the project – 38-41 Furnival Street, EC4 – and Camden Council at the other – 31-33 High Holborn, WC1. The City Corporation will vote on the scheme next week, while a committee date has yet to be set in Camden.
City planning officers acknowledged objections to the project, including harm to a heritage area, as well as the loss of office space owing to the demolition of 38-41 Furnival Street.
However, they said: “The proposal would preserve the historic and rarity interest of the Kingsway Tunnels as a non-designated heritage asset, and any harm which arises as a result of the development would be mitigated by the improvement to the accessibility and visibility of this currently unknown heritage asset to a wide public audience.”
Images © WilkinsonEyre
