Waterloo views ‘ruined’ by ugly skyscrapers

SKYSCRAPERS are being built without public backing, a think tank has warned, amid complaints the historic view from Waterloo Bridge has been ruined by “ugly“towers such as the “Cheesegrater” and the “Walkie Talkie”.

Hulking skyscrapers that block historic views are opposed by 71 per cent of the public, according a Policy Exchange survey, and 64 per cent said they were unable to sway planning decisions that spoil skylines.

Experts have said the threat to London’s heritage posed by tall buildings was “particularly acute”, and half of those surveyed said the view from Waterloo Bridge has been marred in the past 20 years by additions such as The Shard and the skyscaper at 22 Bishopsgate.

Towers such as the Gherkin, which have sprung up in the past two decades, were “out of kilter with what the public actually wants”, Policy Exchange found, as 70 per cent of respondents to its survey said they preferred buildings to be in harmony with their surroundings.

The changing skyline has been criticised by the group Save Britain’s Heritage.

Its executive president, Marcus Binney, said: “The face of London has been blighted by a rash of ugly, illsited towers.”

His view has been supported by the public, according to the Policy Exchange poll that found 65 per cent of those surveyed said new tall that buildings should not be built in historic areas, and 48 per cent believed tall buildings should not be permitted at all in suburban areas.

Around 40 per cent believed the London skyline had been damaged by the building of tall towers, such as Heron Tower, the Leadenhall Building and The Scalpel, since 2000.

The Pinnacle at 22 Bishopsgate was the target for fierce opposition and the building of the The Shard was contested by English Heritage but received planning permission.

Ike Ijeh, Policy Exchange’s head of housing, architecture and urban space, said: “The results of this poll clearly show that the public believes we are building tall buildings in the wrong places, in the wrong way, and with insufficient design quality. Planning policy is seemingly very much out of kilter with what the public wants.

“We need a new, coherent, comprehensive and consistent policy … that consults and engages much more rigorously with the public.

“Such a policy would not seek to ban tall buildings but would more sensitively and intelligently balance the needs of development, heritage and urban character.”