Campaigners step up pressure on Bishopsgate towers plan

A campaign group opposed to a Farrells masterplan for a huge tall tower-led redevelopment of Bishopsgate Goodsyard has said the proposals resemble “London’s most reviled modern buildings”.

A public consultation with the two planning authorities – Tower Hamlets and Hackney – ends in less than two weeks. In all, 12 towers are proposed for the 4.2 ha site on the edge of Shoreditch, ranging from just under 24m through to 180m tall.

Among those lined up to work on the £800 million scheme are Farrells and PLP with four residential towers of 46, 42, 34 and 30 storeys proposed. Two more towers of 24 and 16 storeys are planned as well.

As well as 1,464 homes, it will also include new shops, offices and a park.

Farrells is also set to work on a series of office blocks planned at the site, including two buildings of 14 and 12 storeys while Faulkner Browns Architects is working on the scheme’s retail element. Chris Dyson Architects is responsible for the historic properties – two of the Goodsyard’s structures are grade II listed – with Spacehub line dup for the park.

But local campaign group More Light, More Power is asking locals to write to the local authorities and object to the proposals.

Spokesman David Donoghue said of the Farrells scheme: “It’s big, ugly and not fit for purpose.

“Generic Hong Kong-style skyscrapers are proposed for Shoreditch, with shadows taking us back 100 years.

“A project of this size and profile should be a leader in mid-rise development and progressive architecture. These building designs veer uncomfortably close to London’s most reviled modern buildings.”

According to the planning application submitted by planning agent DP9, the four tallest towers will provide just over 1,000 apartments of the planned 1,464 units.

The scheme is being jointly developed by Hammerson and Ballymore Group who want to include parts of the goodsyard’s grade II-listed Braithwaite Viaduct into the development.

Replying to Donoghue’s comments, a spokesman for the joint venture said: “Our vision for The Goodsyard is to open up a fantastic space in the heart of London’s most interesting areas, one that has been hidden from view for far too long, and create a place for people to live, work, relax do business, be inspired and exhilarated.

“Whilst the statutory consultation period may be 21 days we’ve been in dialogue with the community from The Goodsyard’s inception back in 2009 right through to submission of the planning application and will continue to do so. We firmly believe that this is the right scheme to help to tackle London’s housing crisis, provide a new elevated park with city views unrivalled in the world, bring the historic arches back into use through a unique retail offer, provide the opportunity for local creative industries to shape the new commercial space and to create at least 5,000 new jobs which we’re committed to ensuring that local people can access.”

The site was damaged by fire in the 1960s and has been derelict ever since. It is currently used by a five-a-side football teams and as a Boxpark retail venture.