Tower of London 'at-risk of serious harm' under draft plan for Square Mile

"Historic England claimed the quantum, scale and location of development enabled would have serious implications for the historic site. Located on the western edge of Tower Hamlets, next to the City of London, the Tower is one of the capital's most recognisable structures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site."

"The increasing number of skyscrapers being approved and built in the City has, however, led to repeated concerns over potential encroachment on the Tower. In 2024 the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed how UNESCO had requested a State of Conservation Report by the UK Government on the effects of tall buildings on the Tower."

"A subsequent Technical Review by ICOMOS, a conservation body advising UNESCO, however, featured a number of recommendations indicating further action may be required. These included that the Government should call-in the approvals of two major schemes, 1 Undershaft and 70 Gracechurch Street, and that the draft City Plan 2040 undergo a drastic revision."

The Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1070s, faces potential harm from the City of London Corporation's proposed City Plan 2040. Historic England has raised concerns about the quantum, scale, and location of development enabled by the plan. The increasing approval of skyscrapers in the City has prompted UNESCO to request a State of Conservation Report on tall buildings' effects on the Tower. While the Executive Summary supported the Corporation's clustering approach, ICOMOS, a UNESCO advisory body, recommended government intervention on specific schemes and substantial plan revision. Multiple organizations, including Historic England, have expressed concerns about the draft plan's implications for this iconic structure.

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