I have been thinking about this building since seeing that it had been given planning permission last night. If built, it will be one of the most prominent buildings in London. Yet, one wonders, is it the result of a public competition ? The developers are Mitsubishi Estates. It’s designer, Ken Shuttleworth, is called ‘Ken the Pen’ and no doubt stands to make a vast amount of money from this necropolitan development, but it will totally dwarf the Houses of Parliament, as well as the National Theatre. What were the planners thinking ? A monster monument to the Age of Boris Johnson, totally soul-less like the new Broadgate which is also designed by Make.
It is now up to Michael Gove to call it in and reject it. And create new planning laws at the same time.