DOCSLIB.ORG

The Medieval City Ditch at Bishopsgate, Heron Tower, London Ec3

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Medieval City Ditch at Bishopsgate, Heron Tower, London Ec3 London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Transactions, 67 (2016), 99—131 THE MEDIEVAL CITY DITCH AT BISHOPSGATE, HERON TOWER, LONDON EC3 David Sorapure With contributions by Ian M Betts, Lyn Blackmore, Lynne Keys, Alan Pipe, Natasha Powers, Beth Richardson, Rob Scaife, Amy Thorp and Virgil Yendell SUMMARY INTRODUCTION In 2007 excavations in advance of the construction In the autumn of 2007 in advance of the of Heron Tower revealed a number of scattered Roman construction of Heron Tower, Museum of pits. The excavations were situated in the area just London Archaeology (MOLA) undertook beyond London’s former Roman and medieval city archaeological excavations at the property wall, adjacent and to the east of Bishopsgate. Current formerly known as Kempson House, 25—37 projections of the line of the Roman city wall suggest Camomile Street and Bishops House, 106— that it ran north-west to south-east across the southern 126 Bishopsgate, London EC3 (NGR 533250 edge of the site. No traces of the Roman defences were 181450, site code KPH05). The site is bounded discovered; any trace of the city wall and its associated by Houndsditch to the north, Bishopsgate ditch were apparently removed by the extreme truncation to the west, Outwich Street to the east and caused by the construction of the modern basements. Camomile Street to the south (Fig 1). Earlier The main feature of archaeological interest on site fieldwork conducted in 2000 (CMI00) and was a significant cross section of the truncated medie- 2005 (KPH05) revealed negative evidence for val city ditch. Two trenches were excavated across the the presence of the Roman city wall. line of the city ditch. Fieldwork revealed that the ditch The excavation consisted of two trenches was 17—20m wide and aligned east to west. Sections (Fig 2). Trench 1 was located in the basement cut through the infilled ditch revealed that some of its of Kempson House and Trench 2 in the lower fills were waterlogged and possibly waterlain. basement of Bishops House, built in 1960 Within the upper fills there were frequent episodes of and 1976 respectively. Due to the extensive recutting and clearing, whilst medieval pottery and modern truncation and the basements of the environmental analysis revealed deposition sequences two buildings, the top of the truncated natural of refuse, rich in organic material, interspersed with deposits lay at c.11.02m OD in Trench 1 and periods of relatively sterile deposition. 11.16m OD in Trench 2, whilst ground level The earliest phase of this ditch dates to the mid-11th adjacent to the site was approximately 15.4m to later 12th century. The initial infilling of the ditch OD. The medieval city ditch was identified in began slowly, then it gradually increased after a major both trenches, 17—20m wide, running west recutting event in the early 13th century, to reach a to east across the site. Deposit survival over peak during the 14th to 15th centuries. From the late much of the site was compromised by modern 15th century to the mid-17th century the city ditch in concrete ground beams and the 19th-century this area underwent a fairly rapid process of infilling Irongate sewer, which ran west—east across the as it fell out of use. Over time its width was progressive- site, through Trench 1 and running just south ly reduced by successive recutting events. of Trench 2 (Fig 2). This resulted in the 99 100 David Sorapure the form of a single, continuous open trench and was modified to take the form of an open trench to the north with a series of bays (Areas A, B, C and D) and smaller slots to the south (Slot 1, Slot 2 — which was abandoned due to truncation — and Slot 3, Fig 2). Despite the modern intrusions, the width of the medieval city ditch was exposed in Trench 1. The ditch fills were excavated and recorded in section (see Figs 6 and 7), east facing in Trench 1 and west facing in Trench 2. After the section had been recorded each distinct deposit, or context, was removed and pottery and other finds recovered. The site archive will be deposited under the site code KPH05 in the Museum of London’s Archaeological Archive,1 Mortimer Wheeler House, 46 Eagle Wharf Road, London N1 7ED, where it may be consulted by prior arrangement. The analysis of the excavation resulted in a series of specialist research archives which will be deposited as part of the archive. The results of assessed strata and all assemblages of artefacts, environmental and Fig 1. Site location (City of London scale 1:50,000, osteological remains were recorded on the site plan 1:10,000) MOLA Oracle database. This article employs standard Museum of London codes for ceramics and building materials; complete decision to excavate where possible between lists of these codes, their expansions the concrete ground beams and the Irongate and date ranges are available online.2 sewer. Trench 1 was therefore unable to take Expansions of pottery codes are given at Fig 2. Location of Trenches 1 and 2 (scale 1:1000) The Medieval City Ditch at Bishopsgate, Heron Tower, London EC3 101 the first mention in a text section. Context the modern basements of Bishops House numbers are denoted by square brackets [1] and Kempson House. and accessioned finds are shown in angled brackets <1>. Certain categories of finds have Roman Period Background been given illustration numbers preceded by a letter denoting their category, for The site of Heron Tower lies outside and example pottery, <P1>. The context details adjacent to part of the Roman city wall, concerning the illustrated finds are given in which was constructed during c.AD 180—225 the figure captions. Land-use entities consist (Maloney 1983; Sankey & Stephenson 1991; of Open Areas (OA) and Structures (S). Fig 3). The landward portion of the Roman Site codes referenced in this article relate to city wall was just over 2 miles (3.2km) in length MOLA investigations. with six gates and incorporated elements of an earlier fort at Cripplegate. At the site of DRIFT GEOLOGY (PERIOD 1) Heron Tower, the wall ran on a north-west to south-east alignment and the southern The drift geology consisted of compact, edge of the site lay close to the known line sandy Pleistocene, Thames river terrace of the Roman wall (Figs 3 and 4). This is gravel (highest point 10.66m OD), overlain confirmed by a conjectured alignment of the by brickearth, comprising a moderate to Roman wall, based on extending the wall’s compact sandy silt varying in colour from line from locations nearby where its remains orange and brown to light yellow or pinkish were observed in 1876 (see below; Price 1880, brown (highest point c.11.16m OD) (OA1, 28) and through archaeological fieldwork, not illustrated). The presence of a possible including investigations at 27—29 Camomile palaeochannel flowing in a south-westerly Street (COT88), 58—60 Houndsditch (HSD89) direction was indicated by current bedding and 63—71 St Mary Axe (BUN88). of silts and sands at the southern end of Surviving sections of the wall are protected Trench 2. These deposits probably date to as Scheduled Ancient Monuments and the the Late Devensian (c.25,000—c.11,500 BP). Scheduled Monument Constraint Area In general, the natural deposits dipped extended into the south-western corner southward lying between 9.60m and 8.82m of the site, but did not continue across the OD in Trench 1 and 9.60m to 8.67m OD in entire site (Fig 4). The reasons for this are Trench 2. No prehistoric deposits or finds uncertain but may be based on a reference were discovered at Heron Tower. to the demolition and removal of a bastion and a 18.29m-long stretch of the wall above plinth level in 1876 (RCHME 1928, 86). ROMAN ACTIVITY, c.AD 120—200 One of the Roman city wall’s six gatehouses (PERIOD 2) AND c.AD 200—400 became Bishopsgate, which was located across (PERIOD 3) what is now Bishopsgate road immediately Roman Ground Level outside the south-western corner of the site. It is probable that the Roman gatehouse at Judging by the recorded height of Roman Bishopsgate was of a similar design to the ground level from sites within the vicinity one at Newgate and consisted of a double of Heron Tower, it appears that the modern entrance flanked by rectangular guard truncation of the Roman ground surface on rooms. In 1905 part of the gatehouse was site was at least c.2m. At 58—60 Houndsditch recorded at the northern side of the junction (HSD89), 55m to the south-east of Heron of Wormwood Street and Bishopsgate Street Tower, the base of the Roman city wall (RCHME 1928, 97—8). On the outside of was discovered at c.11.95m OD and the the Roman city wall was a berm (between extramural Roman ground level at 12.26m 2.7m and 5.2m wide), beyond which was a OD. At Heron Tower the maximum height of V-shaped defensive ditch, c.4m wide and up surviving natural brickearth was at c.11.16m to 2m deep (Maloney 1983, 101). This ditch OD. Therefore, even to the south of Trench was found 170m west of the site at 90—94 Old 1, no evidence for the Roman city wall is Broad Street and 63—64 New Broad Street likely to have survived the construction of (BRO90). An east—west Roman ditch, about 102 David Sorapure Fig 3. Location of the site in relation to Roman London.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Onetwenty.London
    LONDON EC1 THE BUILDING INTRODUCTION 09: 00 THE WORKING DAY IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT Offering a newly designed, distinctive reception, 120 Aldersgate Street allows you to make the very most of every minute. In one of London’s most vibrant and iconic areas, welcome to 10,500 unsquare feet of urban office space just waiting to improve your working day. NO BETTER TIME NO BETTER PLACE 02 03 LONDON EC1 THE BUILDING OVERVIEW 08: 45 11: 29 PREMIUM WORK SPACE WITH A PERSONALITY ALL OF ITS OWN If you’re going to make an entrance, make it memorable. At 120 Aldersgate Street, the striking new reception area is just that. With a design inspired by the building’s history, this characterful building has undergone a transformation. Unique features include striking signage, contemporary furniture and an LED illuminated glass wall. The available office space features concrete finishes and exposed services, creating an urban warehouse flavour. An inviting third floor terrace adds to the working environment. 08: 45 Outdoor Entrance 11: 29 5th Floor Office Space 04 05 LONDON EC1 LOCAL AREA AMENITIES 08: 20 07: 15 Virgin Active 200 Aldersgate 08: 00 Look Mum No Hands 08: 20 Workshop Coffee HUNDREDS OF 13: 4 5 Bonfire AMENITIES... AND COUNTING! The immediate area is spoilt for choice when it comes to retail and leisure. Next door, just past the Virgin Active health club, the Barbican is a world of its own, which houses cinemas, restaurants, art galleries, an auditorium, landscaped outdoor areas and Central London’s 13: 45 19: 30 21: 00 largest public conservatory.
    [Show full text]
  • 22 Bishopsgate London EC2N 4BQ Construction of A
    Committee: Date: Planning and Transportation 28 February 2017 Subject: Public 22 Bishopsgate London EC2N 4BQ Construction of a building arranged on three basement floors, ground and 58 upper floors plus mezzanines and plant comprising floorspace for use within Classes A and B1 of the Use Classes Order and a publicly accessible viewing gallery and facilities (sui generis); hard and soft landscaping works; the provision of ancillary servicing and other works incidental to the development. (201,449sq.m. GEA) Ward: Lime Street For Decision Registered No: 16/01150/FULEIA Registered on: 24 November 2016 Conservation Area: St Helen's Place Listed Building: No Summary The planning application relates to the site of the 62 storey tower (294.94m AOD) granted planning permission in June 2016 and which is presently being constructed. The current scheme is for a tower comprising 59 storeys at ground and above (272.32m AOD) with an amended design to the top. The tapering of the upper storeys previously approved has been omitted and replaced by a flat topped lower tower. In other respects the design of the elevations remains as before. The applicants advise that the lowering of the tower in the new proposal is in response to construction management constraints in relation to aviation safeguarding issues. The planning application also incorporates amendments to the base of the building, the public realm and to cycle space provision which were proposed in a S73 amendment application and which your Committee resolved to grant on 28 November 2016, subject to a legal agreement but not yet issued. The building would provide offices, retail at ground level, a viewing gallery with free public access at levels 55 and 56 and a public restaurant and bar at levels 57 and 58.
    [Show full text]
  • 30 Crown Place, Earl Street, London EC2A
    London 30 Crown Place Pinsent Masons 30 Crown Place Earl Street London EC2A 4ES United Kingdom T: +44 (0)20 7418 7000 F: +44 (0)20 7418 7050 Liverpool Street station By Underground Liverpool Street station is the nearest underground station – approximate commute time 5 mins (Central, Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines). Exit the underground station onto the main National Rail concourse. Just to the left of platform 1 on the main concourse, exit the station via the Broadgate Link Shops arcade, towards Exchange Square. Continue right, along Sun Street Passage and then up the stairs onto Exchange Square. At the top of the stairs, take the first left towards Appold Street. Walk down the stairs, and at the bottom, cross over Appold Street onto Earl Street. Continue left along Earl Street and we are situated on the right hand side. Moorgate station Approx journey time 8-10 minutes. (Northern, Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines). Exit the station via Moorgate East side onto Moorgate. Turn right and walk north (towards Alternatively, take the 8-15 minutes. Approx. total Location Finsbury Pavement). Continue Heathrow Express to journey time is 35 minutes. Pinsent Masons HQ office is along Finsbury Pavement until Paddington and change for the located on the right hand side you reach Finsbury Square. Circle or Hammersmith & City From Stansted Airport of Crown Place when coming The Stansted Express runs line to Liverpool Street. Approx. from Moorgate or Liverpool between the airport and Street. Turn right into Finsbury Square journey time is 40 minutes. and continue straight ahead Liverpool Street every 15 into Sun Street.
    [Show full text]
  • Ludgate Circus, London, EC4 to Let Prominent E Class Shop Close to St Paul’S Cathedral
    RETAIL PROPERTY PARTICUL ARS Ludgate Circus, London, EC4 To Let Prominent E Class Shop close to St Paul’s Cathedral. Ground & Basement 857 SQ FT 7 Ludgate Circus London EC4M 7LF OFFICE PROPERTY PARTICUL ARS OFFICE PROPERTY P Location Description The Ground floor and Basement currently have E1 use. This prominent building occupies the South West quadrant of Ludgate Circus on the intersections of Farringdon and New Bridge Street (the A201, leading to Net internal areas: Blackfriars Bridge) with Fleet Street/Ludgate Hill, historically the main connection Ground floor 310 sq. ft between the City of London and Westminster. Having St Paul’s Cathedral in site Basement 547 sq. ft complements this building with high pedestrian flow. Total 857 sq. ft The property has excellent transport links with City Thameslink Station one minute away, and Blackfriars (Circle & District Lines) and St Paul’s (Central Line) Use a short walk away. E class (formerly A1 retail). VIEW MAP https://tinyurl.com/yaob892w Terms Lease: A new Full Repairing and Insuring Lease for a Term of 6 years and 11 months to be contracted outside of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954, part II (as amended). Rent: Offers invited in region of £66,500 per year. Service Charge: (including 12.5% management fees) estimated at £902 per year. Insurance: estimated at £1,553 for period 24/06/2020 - 23/06/2021. Please note that a Rent Collection fee of 5% is applied to this particular property. Business Rates Interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries with the Local Authority. Professional Costs Each party to pay their own legal costs in this transaction.
    [Show full text]
  • Prisons and Punishments in Late Medieval London
    Prisons and Punishments in Late Medieval London Christine Winter Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of London Royal Holloway, University of London, 2012 2 Declaration I, Christine Winter, hereby declare that this thesis and the work presented in it is entirely my own. Where I have consulted the work of others, this is always clearly stated. Signed: Date: 3 Abstract In the history of crime and punishment the prisons of medieval London have generally been overlooked. This may have been because none of the prison records have survived for this period, yet there is enough information in civic and royal documents, and through archaeological evidence, to allow a reassessment of London’s prisons in the later middle ages. This thesis begins with an analysis of the purpose of imprisonment, which was not merely custodial and was undoubtedly punitive in the medieval period. Having established that incarceration was employed for a variety of purposes the physicality of prison buildings and the conditions in which prisoners were kept are considered. This research suggests that the periodic complaints that London’s medieval prisons, particularly Newgate, were ‘foul’ with ‘noxious air’ were the result of external, rather than internal, factors. Using both civic and royal sources the management of prisons and the abuses inflicted by some keepers have been analysed. This has revealed that there were very few differences in the way civic and royal prisons were administered; however, there were distinct advantages to being either the keeper or a prisoner of the Fleet prison. Because incarceration was not the only penalty available in the enforcement of law and order, this thesis also considers the offences that constituted a misdemeanour and the various punishments employed by the authorities.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Giltspur Street
    1 GILTSPUR STREET LONDON EC1 1 GILTSPUR STREET 1 GILTSPUR STREET INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS • Occupies a prominent corner position in the heart of Midtown, where the City of London and West End markets converge. • Situated on the west side of Giltspur Street at its junction with West Smithfield and Hosier Lane to the north and Cock Lane to the south. • In close proximity to Smithfield Market and Farringdon Station to the north. • Excellent transport connectivity being only 200m from Farringdon Station which, upon delivery of the Elizabeth Line in autumn 2019, will be the only station in Central London to provide direct access to London Underground, the Elizabeth Line, Thameslink and National Rail services. • 23,805 sq. ft. (2,211.4 sq. m.) of refurbished Grade A office and ancillary accommodation arranged over lower ground, ground and four upper floors. • Held long leasehold from The Mayor and Commonalty of the City of London for a term of 150 years from 24 June 1991 expiring 23 June 2141 (approximately 123 years unexpired) at a head rent equating to 7.50% of rack rental value. • Vacant possession will be provided no later than 31st August 2019. Should completion of the transaction occur prior to this date the vendor will remain in occupation on terms to be agreed. We are instructed to seek offers in excess of£17 million (Seventeen Million Pounds), subject to contract and exclusive of VAT, for the long leasehold interest, reflecting a low capital value of £714 per sq. ft. 2 3 LOCATION & SITUATION 1 Giltspur Street is located in a core Central London location in the heart of Midtown where the City of London and West End markets converge.
    [Show full text]
  • London Borough of Islington Archaeological Priority Areas Appraisal
    London Borough of Islington Archaeological Priority Areas Appraisal July 2018 DOCUMENT CONTROL Author(s): Alison Bennett, Teresa O’Connor, Katie Lee-Smith Derivation: Origination Date: 2/8/18 Reviser(s): Alison Bennett Date of last revision: 31/8/18 Date Printed: Version: 2 Status: Summary of Changes: Circulation: Required Action: File Name/Location: Approval: (Signature) 2 Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 5 2 Explanation of Archaeological Priority Areas .................................................................. 5 3 Archaeological Priority Area Tiers .................................................................................. 7 4 The London Borough of Islington: Historical and Archaeological Interest ....................... 9 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 9 4.2 Prehistoric (500,000 BC to 42 AD) .......................................................................... 9 4.3 Roman (43 AD to 409 AD) .................................................................................... 10 4.4 Anglo-Saxon (410 AD to 1065 AD) ....................................................................... 10 4.5 Medieval (1066 AD to 1549 AD) ............................................................................ 11 4.6 Post medieval (1540 AD to 1900 AD).................................................................... 12 4.7 Modern
    [Show full text]
  • Minutes Template
    PROJECTS SUB (POLICY AND RESOURCES) COMMITTEE Tuesday, 12 February 2013 Minutes of the meeting of the Projects Sub (Policy and Resources) Committee held at Guildhall on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 at 3.00 pm Present Members: Deputy Sir Michael Snyder (Chairman) Mark Boleat (Deputy Chairman) Alderman Sir Michael Bear Deputy Ken Ayers (Chief Commoner) Anthony Llewelyn-Davies John Tomlinson Officers: Peter Lisley - Assistant Town Clerk Julie Mayer - Town Clerk’s Rebecca Kearney - Town Clerk’s Caroline Al-Beyerty - Financial Services Director Philip Everett - Director of the Built Environment Peter Bennett - City Surveyor Victor Callister - Department of the Built Environment Iain Simmons - Department of the Built Environment Malcolm MacLeod - Department of Markets and Consumer Protection Peter Snowdon - City Surveyor’s Department Eddie Stevens - Community and Children’s Services Karen Tarbox - Community and Children’s Services Hannah Bibbins - Guildhall School of Music and Drama 1. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Stuart Fraser, Jeremy Mayhew and Hugh Morris. 2. MEMBER DECLARATIONS UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA None. 3. MINUTES The public minutes and summary of the Projects Sub Committee of 10th January 2013 were approved. 4. AVONDALE SQUARE AND YORK WAY - CAVITY WALL INSULATION - PROJECT PROPOSAL (GATEWAY 2) Members received a report of the Acting Director of Community and Children’s Services and noted that British Gas had contacted the Department to offer free insulation works, fully funded from the Energy Company Obligation. RESOLVED, that: The project progress to Gateway 5, as per the Project Procedure, with authority delegated to the Director of Community and Children’s Services.
    [Show full text]
  • Kreston-Reeves-London-Map.Pdf
    Old t C Stree u Street ld r O t S a G i h A5201 n o o A1209 s r R w e G d d e r d e i a l l et a t o tre t c R S B100 A501 R ld Ea h en o O s re Clerkenwell a te H G d r i al n g Bethn Third Floor, 24 Chiswell Street S h d B t t a S u e A5201 o London EC1Y 4YX t n e R h r t Shoreditch i d n l S a C i o St.Lukes l R a R i n t t well r en y A1 o Tel: 033012 41399 Fax: 020 7382 1821 Clerk o u s w l R i C A1202 DX 42614 CHEAPSIDE S o N W t a A10 A F d J Barbican [email protected] a l o d r e r h B i n n r www.krestonreeves.com r s g i c g P d S k a t P r o t a r B100 CCh l n his Old L e cu A406 e ne well r Farringdon a St a i e L ree R t C g n t n Spitalfields h o o M1 rt L Barbican P e o J3 a Finsbury N S Market d Centre t Square Liverpool r A201 A406 e A1 A12 e Street t e E t l t J1 Moorgate do e field S a n t Brush S a A10 g t C r g A406 Smithfield See Inset o o s o p m Market t o A12 S M h m A5 F ld is H a St.Bartholomews e L e ol i iv B M A13 bo r f e r A40 rn r S rp c A501 - A1211 t o i m re ol d i H London Wallll lo et a V d l ia L B l du P ond Station e ct on t s S LONDON W e Entrance e t i al x A11 n l e r A406 e g t S Aldgate A40 t t d S a o East A4 G g d H n r r a t M4 A2 N es t o S J1 A205 ew ha o ro u h S m S nd ig ga St o B H t te ree s Aldgate l A13 r t h e A202 St M d d t e l c p r it a e e c h e Bank of O u h c tr A3 t St.Pauls h S A205 England c W m A316 A2 C St e a St.Pauls he edle h L r aps dne c ra e uth Circula L ide ea a B A3 So A205 udga Cathedral Thr r m A20 te G Hill Poul a Str try M Fleet eet N Royal Exchange n e i n S w City By Underground Cornhill Leadenhall t Stree o t M B ri Liverpool Street Thameslink DLR a r t Mansion Bank e e e s n Liverpool Street is on the Central, Metropolitan, Circle and S tr House A10 s t h S Whitechapel Hammersmith & City Lines.
    [Show full text]
  • 25 Townscape View: the Queen's Walk to Tower of London
    25 Townscape View: The Queen’s Walk 211 to Tower of London 407 The view from The Queen’s Walk to the Tower of London World Heritage Site is from a stretch of the south bank of the Thames close to the two public open spaces either side of City Hall; to the east a green space known as Potter’s Fields Park; and to the west a hard landscaped space including the Scoop, sculptures and water features. 408 There is one Viewing Location at the Queen’s Walk: 25A. It is located close to the river’s edge. 212 London View Management Framework Viewing Location 25A The Queen’s Walk at City Hall N.B for key to symbols refer to image 1 Panorama from Assessment Point 25A.1 The Queen’s Walk at City Hall – foot of pathway from Potter’s Fields Panorama from Assessment Point 25A.2 The Queen’s Walk at City Hall – in front of the public terraces 25 Townscape View: The Queen’s Walk to Tower of London 213 Panorama from Assessment Point 25A.3 The Queen’s Walk at City Hall – close to Tower Bridge Description of the View Landmarks include: 409 Three Assessment Points (25A.1, 25A.2 and 25A.3) are Tower of London (I, II*, II) † located in this location. They provide good views of the The Monument (I) Tower of London, and the relatively clear background Tower Bridge (I) setting of the White Tower, in particular. A Protected Vista is included from Assessment Point 25A.1 and a Also in the views: Protected Silhouette is applied to the White Tower between Custom House (I) Assessment Points 25A.2 and 25A.3.
    [Show full text]
  • PDU Case Report XXXX/YY Date
    planning report GLA/4417/01 16 April 2018 100, 106/107 Leadenhall Street in the City of London planning application no. 18/00152/FULEIA Strategic planning application stage 1 referral Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended); Greater London Authority Acts 1999 and 2007; Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008. The proposal Demolition of existing buildings and construction of a ground plus 56 storey building (263.4 metres AOD) for office use, retail use at the lower levels, a publicly accessible viewing gallery and restaurant/bar at levels 55/56. The applicant The applicant is Frontier Dragon Ltd and the architect is Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill LLP. Strategic issues summary Principle of development: The proposed development would respond to established demand for office space within the CAZ, and would support London’s continuing function as a World City. It is therefore strongly supported in accordance with London Plan and draft London Plan policies. The publicly accessible viewing gallery on levels 55 and 56 must be secured. (Paragraphs 16–20) Design: This is an appropriate location for a tall building, and the high architectural quality proposed is fitting for a development of this scale and prominence. Nevertheless further detail required regarding the elevational treatment of the lower floors and the public connections around the site. (Paragraphs 21-33) Strategic Views: The development would reinforce and enhance the characteristics of strategic views through an improved consolidation of the City’s eastern cluster and complies with London Plan Policy 7.12 and Policies HC3 and HC4 of the draft London Plan. (Paragraphs 34-35) Historic Environment: The development would not compromise the ability to appreciate the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage Sites and would not cause harm to the historic environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Bishopsgate Conservation Area Draft Character Summary and Management Strategy SPD
    City of London Bishopsgate Conservation Area Draft Character Summary and Management Strategy SPD Bishopsgate CA Draft Character Summary and Management Strategy SPD – Jan 2014 1 Introduction Character summary 1. Location and context 2. Designation history 3. Summary of character 4. Historical development Early history Eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Twentieth and twenty-first centuries 5. Spatial analysis Layout and plan form Building plots Building heights Views and vistas 6. Character analysis Bishopsgate Bishopsgate courts and alleys St Botolph without Bishopsgate Church and Churchyard Liverpool Street/Old Broad Street Wormwood Street Devonshire Row Devonshire Square New Street Middlesex Street Widegate Street Artillery Lane and Sandy’s Row Brushfield Street and Fort Street 7. Land uses and related activity 8. Traffic and transport 9. Architectural character Architects, styles and influences Building ages 10. Local details Architectural sculpture Public statuary and other features Blue plaques Historic signs Signage and shopfronts 11. Building materials 12. Open spaces and trees 13. Public realm 14. Cultural associations Bishopsgate CA Draft Character Summary and Management Strategy SPD – Jan 2014 2 Management strategy 15. Planning policy 16. Access and an inclusive environment 17. Environmental enhancement 18. Management of transport 19. Management of open spaces and trees 20. Archaeology 21. Enforcement 22. Condition of the conservation area Further reading and references Appendix Designated heritage assets Contacts Bishopsgate CA Draft Character Summary and Management Strategy SPD – Jan 2014 3 Introduction The present urban form and character of the City of London has evolved over many centuries and reflects numerous influences and interventions: the character and sense of place is hence unique to that area, contributing at the same time to the wider character of London.
    [Show full text]