Readers may care to be reminded that it was while Edward Lister was in charge of Wandsworth Council that its officers and committee consented the dire “twin towers” scheme (32 and 42 storeys) on the grade II* listed Ram Brewery site in its most sensitive conservation area.

This immensely damaging scheme was only prevented by local MP Martin Linton having the guts to ask the secretary of state to call it in.

The ensuing five-week public inquiry in 2009 resulted in a damning report by lead inspector Colin Ball identifying that the chief ground (of five listed) for the secretary of state to refuse consent was conservation.

I was the only conservation critic to give evidence against the proposals on the grounds the towers would inflict irreversible harm on the settings of the brewery, its separately listed stables and conservation area. English Heritage objected in writing and the national amenity societies were not consulted at all, if I recall correctly.

The chief thrust of the NPPF is to promote sustainable development. Development is, by definition, not sustainable when it harms the historic environment.

Tall buildings, Sir Edward, are not the silver bullet you perceive them to be. Remember the Ram Brewery.

Dale Ingram
via bdonline

 

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