Towers 'will harm Big Ben heritage'

Mira Bar-Hillel13 April 2012

THE government's conservation watchdog has launched a public attack on a proposed scheme for Waterloo station known as the "Three Ugly Sisters".

English Heritage has criticised proposals by architects Allies and Morrison for three towers of up to 39 storeys. The agency says the development would cause "significant harm to the Westminster world heritage site" focused on Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, directly across the river.

A public inquiry into the £1billion development by P&O, on the South Bank, began yesterday. It was ordered by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears after Boris Johnson said he would oppose the plans, but then reversed his position.

EH said the proposals could ruin the setting of the Palace of Westminster as well as harm views of some of London's most architecturally and historically significant buildings.

An EH spokesman said: "There is no reason why regeneration need come at the expense of the historic environment of London. English Heritage supports the redevelopment and is not opposed to tall buildings, as long as those buildings do not unacceptably harm the setting of key heritage assets."

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