London's Image and Identity Revisiting London’S Cherished Views
London's Image and Identity Revisiting London’s Cherished Views Introduction London’s captivating blend of geology, topography and townscape, set in a natural bowl shaped by the Thames, has created many cherished, sweeping views. Generations of Londoners, tourists, writers and artists have admired, painted, engraved and penned poetic verses about the ever-changing prospects from the Thames and its banks, and the dramatic panoramas from the surrounding hills. The identity of the city, and its global brand, is wrapped up in these views and the landmark buildings that punctuate them: the Palace of Westminster, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and the Royal Hospital Greenwich. The international significance of these places is well recognised, with three of these sites inscribed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. London’s views have also been protected and shaped by building and planning controls since such regulations were first devised. Recognising the increasing and inherent public value of views, planning policies have evolved for over 80 years to ensure that the public can continue to appreciate these much-loved prospects and the insight they give to the city, its development and us as Londoners. More recently, this value has been recognised by the Secretary of State, who set height limits in parts of the capital, creating viewing corridors which are shaping the design of individual buildings and, in turn, city districts. Responsibility for the views policy now lies with the Greater London Authority and the London Boroughs. Historic England is a consultee on many planning applications affecting views, and a key stakeholder in discussions about views because of their own extraordinary historic value, as well as their intrinsic links to some of London’s most significant heritage assets.
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