Save London’s South Bank from a monstrous new office block!
Save London’s South Bank from a monstrous new office block!
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Latest: Oct. 18, 2024
Critical Verdict Pending: 72 Upper Ground Judicial Review
This is an update on the latest developments in the Judicial Review concerning 72 Upper Ground. Several members of the Save Our South Bank (SOSB) action group attended the hearing at the High Court o…
Read moreGrassroots campaign, SOS Save our South Bank will challenge the Government’s decision to approve a monstrous eyesore development on London’s iconic South Bank. We need your help to prepare for judicial review.
What’s the campaign about
London's South Bank, cherished by locals and visitors alike, faces an imminent threat. Plans for a vast office development, ominously referred to as "The Slab," will loom over the skyline, poised to irreversibly alter the character of this beloved area. We urgently seek your support to combat this egregious development and preserve the beauty and heritage of our community.
SOS Save Our South Bank is a grassroots movement comprised of concerned residents and over 6,000 allies who united nearly three years ago to oppose Mitsubishi Estate’s reckless plans for 72 Upper Ground, the old ITV Studios site right on the River Walkway alongside the Thames. Renowned critics have denounced the proposed development, with Simon Jenkins in The Guardian labelling it an "aggressive eyesore," Rowan Moore in The Observer describing it as "a brute of a building," and Richard Morrison in The Times deeming it "a grotesque monstrosity."
We know this site needs to be redeveloped. However, in such a treasured area of London, neighboured by listed IBM and National Theatre buildings, the design must protect and enhance rather than dominate its surroundings. We also believe that by building only offices in this space, a key opportunity for much needed housing is being missed. Instead, this block will steal daylight from the social housing directly behind it.
The campaign so far
Decision-makers Lambeth Council failed to take onboard the impact this build will have on local people. They have ignored suggestions for a smaller design that complements the surrounding area and adds value, for the local community and London as a whole.
Our voices were heard when the Secretary of State intervened, triggering a Public Inquiry in late 2022. However, despite widespread opposition, on 9 February 2024 the Secretary of State Michael Gove gave the greenlight to “The Slab”, leaving us at a critical juncture.
Given his reservations, particularly regarding the impact on London's iconic skyline, Mr. Gove's decision is puzzling, especially in light of his recent announcement prioritising housing on brownfield sites and repurposing disused office blocks for housing. This contradiction underscores the urgency of our cause and the need to hold decision-makers accountable for their actions.
The legal action
We firmly believe that Gove's decision is legally flawed and are prepared to challenge it through judicial review. But we cannot do this alone.
We urgently need to raise £15,000 to initiate the next phase of our legal battle. The proposed development threatens not only to overshadow the most visited portion of the River Thames but also exacerbate London's housing crisis and harm the environment, emitting over 100,000 tonnes of CO2 unnecessarily.
In our David versus Goliath struggle, every contribution—no matter how small—counts. Your support will empower us to represent our case effectively and halt this destructive project in its tracks.
By standing with us today, you are safeguarding the heritage of the much-loved South Bank, protecting vital green spaces, and defending the very essence of London's iconic skyline. With your support we can ensure that future generations inherit a South Bank worthy of its rich legacy.
Please donate generously and share our campaign with your networks. Together we can make a difference.
For more information contact [email protected]
Thank you for your unwavering support.
Jenny O'Neill for SOS Save Our South Bank
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Save Our South Bank
Oct. 18, 2024
Critical Verdict Pending: 72 Upper Ground Judicial Review
This is an update on the latest developments in the Judicial Review concerning 72 Upper Ground. Several members of the Save Our South Bank (SOSB) action group attended the hearing at the High Court on 15–16 October.
While it's challenging to provide a comprehensive summary at this stage, Judge Mould ensured that both sides had ample opportunity to thoroughly present their cases. He indicated that his judgment would be delivered in November, at which point a confidential draft will be shared with the legal counsels and, presumably, with SOSB as the client.
SOSB's barrister did an outstanding job presenting the case and engaged in a productive dialogue with Judge Mould. The judge acknowledged the significance of the case and emphasised that he wouldn’t rush his decision.
There is cautious optimism as SOSB’s barrister effectively countered the opposing side’s arguments, which is encouraging.
It's also worth noting that Judge Mould made it clear that his personal opinion on the building is irrelevant to his legal ruling. While the world of judicial reviews may be unfamiliar to some, it was fascinating to witness such a high level of understanding and expertise from all involved.
Meanwhile, work seems to be continuing on-site, but SOSB remain hopeful as we await the judgment in November.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and commitment to standing with us during this critical time. We’ll keep you updated as soon as there are further developments.
Warm regards
Save Our South Bank action group
Save Our South Bank
Sept. 12, 2024
Our Judicial Review goes to the High Court on 15-16 October!
We’re in the High Court on 15 - 16 October to challenge Michael Gove’s approval of an ugly slab of offices on London’s South Bank - but we’re still £5,000 short!
Two days have been set aside following June’s decision of the Honourable Mrs Justice Lang DBE to allow the full case on all the four grounds lodged by campaigners, ruling that the previous Sec of State had a case to answer.
This very prominent South Bank site could include around 200 homes simply by refurbishing the existing tower, leaving most of the site available for offices, and saving up to 50,000 tonnes in carbon emissions - the equivalent of driving around the world 10,000 times!
The two proposed towers of ‘the Slab’ would be visible from Westminster to St Paul’s, which Mr Gove admitted would harm the setting of many listed buildings - but he failed to provide adequate reasons why this was acceptable, which is the first ground of our legal challenge. Mr Gove also failed to understand the policy requirement to deliver housing, and the need to consider whether the existing tower could be retained for residential uses whilst reducing carbon emissions. Our fourth ground is Mr Gove’s bizarre interpretation of tall buildings.
We’re hopeful that the High Court will quash Mr Gove’s decision and pass it to the new government, whose priorities include housing and reducing carbon emissions. We’ve raised £15,000, but we need the final £5,000 to get us over the line.
That’s why we have two asks of you:
1. We would be incredibly grateful if you could continue to donate to help us reach our £20,000 target to cover the cost of going to court.
2. Share our CrowdJustice crowd funding page far and wide to help us drum up more support across all the people who care as passionately as us about the future of London’s South Bank.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Save Our South Bank
May 9, 2024
We’re going to court!
We’re delighted to let you know that the Honourable Mrs Justice Lang DBE has granted Save Our South Bank permission to apply for planning statutory review.
Barristers for the Secretary of State and Mitsubishi stated that we didn’t have a case, but the Judge disagreed and ruled that we have an arguable case which should proceed to a full hearing.
This means our case against Michael Gove’s decision to approve “The Slab” will be heard in full at the High Court!
First of all, thank you so much for your support and donations. None of this would be possible without you and all the people who have been tirelessly campaigning against “The Slab” for three years now.
But we need you and new supporters now more than ever.
It’s fantastic that we will have the case against 72 Upper Ground heard in court, but with that comes mounting legal fees. That’s why we have two asks of you:
1) We would be incredibly grateful if you could continue to donate to help us reach our new £20,000 target to cover the cost of going to court.
1) Share our CrowdJustice crowdfunding page far and wide to help us drum up more support across all the people who care as passionately as us about the future of London’s South Bank.
A reminder of our challenge
Heritage
From the outset, Historic England was concerned about the impact of “The Slab” on protected views of St Paul’s Cathedral.
In February, Michael Gove, Secretary of State, published his decision agreeing with the Inspector’s recommendations, but disagreeing with and expressing strong reservations about the scale, massing, materials, and townscape impact of the proposals.
He considered the development would dominate views and cause heritage harm to the South Bank conservation area, Roupell Conservation area, and to the setting and significance of 3 listed buildings - Somerset House, National Theatre, IBM.
However, he did not give his views or reasons as to the impact on protected views of St Paul's, Waterloo Bridge and five other Conservation Areas. This is the first ground of our legal challenge.
Planning
We believe the Secretary of State misinterpreted planning policy and failed to recognise the requirement to deliver housing as part of the development. The site is allocated for mixed use including housing, and the previous consent included 213 homes.
We also assert that the Secretary of State misinterpreted planning policy when it comes to the circular economy and the requirement to consider whether the existing building on site could be retained to deliver residential uses. The construction of the development would generate 103,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Thank you from the Save Our South Bank Action Group [email protected]
Save Our South Bank
March 21, 2024
Application for judicial review now lodged!
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far to help us challenge the Secretary of State's decision to grant planning permission to the Mitsubishi Estate development on London's South Bank, disparagingly known as "The Slab".
We're excited to let you know that Save Our South Bank has now lodged its application for a judicial review! Read on for more about the details of our challenge and please keep sharing this page far and wide to help us reach our target.
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Our challenge - heritage
From the outset, Historic England was concerned about the impact of “The Slab” on protected views of St Paul’s Cathedral.
In February, Michael Gove, Secretary of State, published his decision agreeing with the Inspector’s recommendations, but disagreeing with and expressing strong reservations about the scale, massing, materials, and townscape impact of the proposals.
He considered the development would dominate views and cause heritage harm to the South Bank conservation area, Roupell Conservation area, and to the setting and significance of 3 listed buildings - Somerset House, National Theatre, IBM.
However, he did not give his views or reasons as to the impact on protected views of St Paul's, Waterloo Bridge and five other Conservation Areas. This is the first ground of our legal challenge.
Our challenge - planning
We believe the Secretary of State misinterpreted planning policy and failed to recognise the requirement to deliver housing as part of the development. The site is allocated for mixed use including housing, and the previous consent included 213 homes.
We also assert that the Secretary of State misinterpreted planning policy when it comes to the circular economy and the requirement to consider whether the existing building on site could be retained to deliver residential uses. The construction of the development would generate 103,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
How you can help this legal action
We are still reaching for our £15,000 target to maintain the next phase of our legal battle. In our David versus Goliath struggle, every contribution—no matter how small—counts. Your support will help us to represent our case effectively and halt this destructive project in its tracks.
Please donate generously and share our campaign with your networks. Together we can make a difference.
Thanks from the Save Our South Bank Action Group
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