Doon Challenge

English Heritage and Westminster City Council have issued a joint legal challenge to the decision to grant planning permission for the Doon Street Tower. (29 September 2008)

Simon Thurley, Chief Executive for English Heritage said:  "English Heritage believes that the advice of the Planning Inspector to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, was clear. This scheme would cause serious harm to London's historic environment.  The Secretary of State took the view that this harm was outweighed by the proposed community benefits.

"In reaching that view the Secretary of State did not consider if the community benefits could be delivered in a less harmful scheme. The applicants have never sought to justify the need for the height of the tower on community benefit grounds alone.

"The Secretary of State is of course entitled to disagree with her Inspector's advice, but she must take into account all relevant factors, and it is highly relevant that the harm to London's historic environment could be avoided.

"We urge the Secretary of State to respond positively to this challenge and to look again at the ways in which this scheme can be delivered which avoids harm to one of London's greatest assets - its heritage."

For further press information, please contact Helen Bowman, English Heritage Corporate Communications, 07789927584 / 02079733250 or helen.bowman@english-heritage.org.uk