City Plan 2036 to go to public consultation this month

The Corporation’s planning and transportation committee has rubberstamped the “most ambitious” Local Plan the Square Mile has seen in decades.

The “once in a generation” document identifies seven key areas which will benefit from the promotion of continued sustainable growth, and will shape City development policy through to the year 2036.

Key development guidance over the next 20 years include a policy on urban greening; a remit for developers to contribute to freight transport consolidation measures to reduce air pollution; and encouragement for office floorspace that flexible and adaptable to meet the demands of different types of occupiers, enabling more incubators, start-ups and other small and medium sized companies to set-up in the City.

Also noted is a greater emphasis on pavement space and prioritisation of pedestrians; additional housing provision on suitable sites; and office space complemented by other commercial, cultural and retail growth wherever appropriate, adding to the City’s 24/7 evolution.

The City of London’s Local Plan was today approved for public consultation. Read more to learn where we foresee #property #development opportunity https://t.co/cH2cSyxn8T

— City of London (@cityoflondon) October 30, 2018

Committee chairman Chris Hayward said that given Britain’s impending exit from the EU, it is “more important than ever” to future-proof the City for the next generation of workers, residents and visitors.

He added: “The Local Plan envisages a more attractive, dynamic, inclusive and modern Square Mile in the future, while recognising that we must also cherish our unique heritage assets.

“More than ever we are seeing that businesses are making location decisions based on the quality of the buildings, local amenities and public realm that they can offer their employees.

“With 1.37million m² of office space under construction which has the potential to accommodate 85,000 future workers, and a 25-year Transport Strategy also underway, this is a once in a generation opportunity to drive cutting-edge and sustainable economic, environmental and cultural change in the heart of London.”

City Plan 2036 will open for public consultation between 12 November and the end of February 2019.

Seven key areas of change highlighted in City Plan 2036:

The Liverpool Street area will become a thriving retail environment. Significant enhancements at Broadgate, with plans that combine with 100 Liverpool Street, would match the current retail offer at 1 New Change on the City’s ‘high-street’.

Smithfield and Barbican Culture Mile plans include the relocation of the Museum of London to West Smithfield, and the proposed Centre for Music alongside the existing Barbican Centre. Beech Street will be transformed into a cleaner and more welcoming food and retail environment.

The Eastern City Cluster will grow to close the gap between the isolated Walkie-Talkie and the rest of the cluster of towers, while introducing more animated ground floor spaces such as the recently completed £50m investment by the Tower 42 estate, in a new retail boulevard called The Avenue. Changes will also include pedestrian priority areas, a push for off-site consolidation and the re-timing of freight and deliveries outside of peak hours.

Redevelopment of the post-war sites at Blackfriars provides scope to enhance surroundings including improved access to the enhanced riverside walkway. A large new open space will be provided by the key infrastructure project, Thames Tideway Tunnel.

The Pool of London is an iconic part of the City’s riverside where regeneration plans will boost its attractiveness and vibrancy. Use of the River Thames will also increase significantly if new riverside infrastructure enables it to become a major corridor for the movement of people and the transport of materials.

The newly redeveloped Aldgate Square will be the focal point between Aldgate and Tower Gateway with plans for better cycling facilities, pedestrian connections and public transport capacity in the area.

Fleet Street; 30 years after newspapers moved out, large 1980s office buildings are reaching the end of their leases, with Deloitte and Freshfields moving elsewhere in the City. Alongside a potential new judicial centre, recent creative arrivals such as Framestore and Saatchi and Saatchi, and the proximity to the new Thameslink service and upcoming Elizabeth line, provide an opportunity to refresh the area and property market.

Photo by Daniel Chapman (Creative Commons).