London "hanging gardens" skyscraper approved: new City tower gets green light at virtual planning meeting despite protests

A proposed “hanging gardens” City skyscraper criticised by heritage bodies because of its impact on views of the Tower of London has been given the all-clear by planning chiefs.

The 150m tower at 50 Fenchurch Street was granted consent last night at the first virtual public meeting of the City of London’s planning committee.

The 36-storey scheme, designed by Eric Parry Architects for the Clothworkers’ Company, comprises offices, a new livery hall, shops, a public roof garden and 10th-storey winter garden.

It will provide 78,000sq m of office space and improve the setting of the Grade I listed 14th-century tower of All Hallows Staining, as well as making the Grade II-listed Lambe’s Chapel Crypt, dating from the 13th century, publicly accessible.

Architect Eric Parry said: “It will unite more than 800 years of the City’s history with its future in a development that will dramatically improve the experience of the city for all.”

The skyscraper will replace a seven-storey office building and provide the seventh livery hall for the Clothworkers’ Company on the site since it was founded in 1528.

Historic Royal Palaces and campaigners had objected because of its effect on the setting of the Tower of London.