Building Up audience calls for clarity
Over 100 developers, planners, surveyors, architects and public sector officials joined our first Building Up panel session, held jointly with surveyors and rights to lights specialists GIA on Tuesday 5 June.
After hearing from a panel including GIA’s Jerome Webb, Peter Barbalov (architect and director at Farrells), Matthew Gibbs (board director at planning consultancy DP9), Cllr Peter John OBE (Leader of Southwark Council) and our own real estate partner James Souter, some 97% of the audience felt our current planning and legal framework for tall buildings needed change.
The discussion included lively debate over the future of rights of light law, sight lines in London, zoning for tall buildings, and the integration of public space and services in tall commercial developments in the capital.
De-risking development
Our audience polling for the evening showed that 78% disagreed that the legal framework for tall buildings, and their impact on neighbours, is clear. The audience was split on whether London sets a good example to other cities on its current approach to managing its skyline, with 54% agreeing, and 46% disagreeing, that London’s approach could help other cities.
London’s approach to planning also split the room, with 54% agreeing that planning in London is fit for purpose, and 46% disagreeing.
What’s next for Building Up
We will continue publishing articles on this hub, and will be following up with further events in the autumn. If you would like to discuss any of the legal issues arising from the delivery of tall buildings, please do contact James Souter or Claire Fallows.
