WELPUT’s City tower rejected, saving UK’s oldest synagogue
Plans to build a 48-storey tower next to the UK’s oldest synagogue in continuous use have been rejected, after a global campaign of opposition to the scheme overturned officials’ recommendations to vote it through.
The historic Bevis Marks synagogue in the City of London had feared that the scheme proposed by BentallGreenOak’s central London office fund WELPUT could spell the end of its services.
But the City of London Corporation’s planning committee today (5 October) refused the scheme by 14 votes to seven after more than 1,700 objections poured in from around the globe. That came despite planning officials slating it for approval earlier this year.
Plans to build a 48-storey tower next to the UK’s oldest synagogue in continuous use have been rejected, after a global campaign of opposition to the scheme overturned officials’ recommendations to vote it through.
The historic Bevis Marks synagogue in the City of London had feared that the scheme proposed by BentallGreenOak’s central London office fund WELPUT could spell the end of its services.
But the City of London Corporation’s planning committee today (5 October) refused the scheme by 14 votes to seven after more than 1,700 objections poured in from around the globe. That came despite planning officials slating it for approval earlier this year.
People in countries as varied as the US, Canada, Switzerland, Nepal, Israel, Germany, France and the Netherlands – as well as from all over the UK – wrote to the City Corporation to combat the scheme. Prominent historians Simon Schama and Tom Holland have also publicly voiced their opposition in recent weeks.
The proposed development on Bury Street, EC3, would have provided at least 274,000 sq ft of office space, a new pedestrian route and spaces for bike storage. But opponents said the new block would restrict sunlight into the 320-year-old, Grade I listed synagogue and courtyard, and restrict worshippers’ ability to read prayers.
The meeting heard objections from the synagogue’s rabbi, Shalom Morris, who said: “The only reason I’m speaking to you today is because the Jewish community believes the very future of Bevis Marks, our cathedral synagogue, is at risk if you approve this scheme.
“That’s not hyperbole, or theatrics. Our actual lived experience of the place informs our keen awareness that placing a 48-storey tower to our southern exposure will cause us harm.”
He added: “It will diminish the spiritually uplifting and practically necessary light that filters into the synagogue… There are so many ways Bevis Marks will be harmed by this scheme that I’m shocked we’re even having this meeting, but here we are.”
The City of London’s chief planning officer, Gwyn Richards, said officials had consulted five experts, who said the change to lighting would be “very small”.
“Officers consider that such a small reduction in light would not impact the ability to read or appreciate internal features of religious significance and therefore we conclude it will not harm the building’s religious use,” said Richards.
BentallGreenOak’s development director, Alexander Morris, said the developer had met with the synagogue more than any other consulted party to discuss their concerns.
“We believe 31 Bury Street aligns with the aspirations and targets of the City – they are exactly the ambitions and targets of the City’s future,” he said.
A final decision will be made by the City of London’s assistant town clerk, after receiving the recommendation of the committee. A decision is yet to be made on a second 21-storey tower in nearby Creechurch Lane.
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