Government clears City Plan 2040, allowing skyscraper proposals near Tower of London

The City of London Corporation’s draft local plan, known as City Plan 2040, can proceed after the Government confirmed it does not significantly threaten the Tower of London’s heritage, MyLondon reported. The decision follows a series of inspections and a direction from Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook that had paused the plan’s adoption.

Why the plan was delayed

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In early September, Pennycook issued a formal direction that postponed the plan’s adoption. He instructed Independent Planning Inspectors Alastair Phillips and Jameson Bridgwater to review alternative building contours suggested by Historic England. The direction responded to concerns raised by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, which warned the Tower could be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Historic England and Historic Royal Palaces had argued that the original skyscraper outlines were too close to the historic site. Their proposals aimed to increase the distance between new towers and the Tower’s perimeter, hoping to reduce cumulative impact.

Inspectors’ findings

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The inspectors sent a letter dated September 23 stating they were not convinced Historic England’s revised contours would produce a materially different heritage outcome. They concluded the existing plan already offers sufficient protection while allowing economic development to continue.

Pennycook welcomed the inspectors’ conclusions, saying he is “reassured” the plan safeguards the Tower without unduly restricting growth, as quoted by MyLondon. Deputy Chris Hayward, the Corporation’s policy chair, described the outcome as “an outstanding result for the City, for London and for the wider UK economy.”

An outstanding result for the City, for London and for the wider UK economy.

Chris Hayward, Deputy Policy Chair, City of London Corporation

Next steps for City Plan 2040

The inspectors will publish a final report in the coming weeks, MyLondon said. Once received, the City of London Corporation will move the plan through its Planning and Transportation Committee and other internal bodies. The corporation hopes to adopt the plan before the end of 2026, although the exact date remains to be set.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has asked the UK Government for a status report on the Tower by February 2027. The government’s current reassurance does not eliminate the need for that future submission.