 The application for the 51 storey Beetham Tower - planned to tower over Blackfriars Bridge - has been 'called in' by Secretary of State Hazel Blears. The skyscraper, which was set to be the centrepiece of a series of tall buildings in and around the Blackfriars area, may now not be completed in time for the Olympic Games in 2012.
Before Ms. Blears - the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government - is able to make her decision there will be a public inquiry into the application, something developers Beetham had hoped to avoid by recently reducing the height of the tower by ten metres.
One of the key objections to the building is the effect the government's 'heritage watchdog' English Heritage claim it would have on protected views across London from St. James' Park and there are concerns that the proposal may conflict with national and regional policies regarding construction of very tall buildings and the provision of affordable housing.
It is likely the inquiry will take place towards the end of the summer with a final decision likely by the start of next year. Even if permission is granted, this would still leave just over three years for the construction and completion, making it extremely unlikely it would be ready for the 2012 Olympics.
A council spokesperson said: “Southwark Council negotiated a significant section 106 agreement that includes 32 affordable flats on-site and £15million affordable large units to rent off-site. The agreement also includes contributions worth more than £8million which will be spent on a variety of local projects including community facilities, better transport links, and improvements to open space, children’s play equipment and sports. The development will bring many benefits to local Southwark residents and a public inquiry will only delay this.”
Other projects set to be built in the area include the varyingly high rise extension to the Tate Modern; 'twin towers' of 42 and 23 storeys respectively on Blackfriars Road, just yards from the proposed Beetham development and a further series of five residential buildings of between five and 24 storeys around the office based 'Bankside 1,2,3' development on Southwark Street.
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