UNESCO threatens Tower of London heritage status over City Plan 2040 office push
Historic England warns the draft plan could endanger the citadel, prompting a ministerial directive and delaying the Corporation’s 1.2 million sq ft office target.
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Historic England has expressed serious concern that the City of London Corporation’s draft City Plan 2040 could threaten the Tower of London’s UNESCO World Heritage status, as reported by MyLondon. The heritage body argues that the proposed development contours allow future skyscrapers too close to the citadel, risking a placement on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger.
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Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook wrote to Planning Inspectors Alastair Phillips and Jameson Bridgwater directing them to consider Historic England’s alternative contours, MyLondon reported. The letter, sent in June, halted the publication of the inspectors’ report and called for further hearings to scrutinise the impact on the Tower. Deputy Chris Hayward, the Corporation’s Policy Chairman, said the delay has “dragged on economic growth, investment and infrastructure delivery” and has “unduly restricted investor confidence”.
Heritage versus growth arguments
The Corporation maintains that the difference between its own contours and those suggested by Historic England would have a minimal effect on heritage protection while limiting the delivery of its target office space. It claims the two approaches “are not materially different” in terms of protecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the Tower, and that Historic England’s proposal would “unduly restrict economic growth”, as quoted in the Corporation’s written statement to MyLondon.
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“Uncertainty in the planning system is a drag on economic growth, investment and infrastructure delivery,”
Chris Hayward, Deputy Policy Chairman, City of London Corporation
Historic England’s counsel, barrister Ben Du Feu, reiterated the body’s concern, saying the Tower “is at risk of being listed on the List of World Heritage in Danger”. He added that the alternative contours would create “a more deferential relationship between the Tower and the City Cluster” without preventing the 1.2 million sq ft office target.
The heritage concerns echo a previous planning decision. In December 2024, a 43‑storey block at Bury House was refused, citing similar risks to the Tower, MyLondon noted. The refusal demonstrates that the planning authority is already applying heritage‑sensitive criteria to high‑rise proposals in the Square Mile.
What happens next
Inspectors will now prepare a revised letter to the Corporation, to be signed by the Housing Minister, triggering the next stage of the plan’s examination. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has asked the UK Government for a detailed report on the Tower’s status by February 2027, meaning the Corporation must address the heritage concerns before the deadline to avoid a formal danger listing.
Questions this report answers
+What risk does the draft City Plan 2040 pose to the Tower of London’s UNESCO status?
Historic England says the plan’s proposed development contours could allow skyscrapers too close to the Tower, potentially leading UNESCO to place the site on its List of World Heritage in Danger. The heritage body has therefore urged changes to the plan.
+What office space target does the City of London Corporation have for 2040?
The Corporation aims to deliver an additional 1.2 million square feet of office space by 2040. It argues that this target can still be met even if Historic England’s alternative development contours are adopted.
+How has the Housing Minister responded to the heritage concerns?
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook wrote to Inspectors Alastair Phillips and Jameson Bridgwater directing them to consider Historic England’s alternative contours and to hold further hearings. His letter halted the publication of the inspectors’ report and delayed the plan’s adoption.
+When must the UK Government report to UNESCO about the Tower’s status?
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has requested a status report from the UK Government by February 2027. The report will assess whether the Tower remains at risk and will influence any decision to list it as a World Heritage site in danger.
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