Plans for a towering 25-story office block, ominously nicknamed “the Slab”, will move forward on London’s iconic South Bank after the High Court dismissed a legal challenge attempting to block the controversial development. The monolithic high-rise, set to rise adjacent to treasured landmarks like the National Theatre, has faced fierce opposition from local groups who argue it is ill-suited for the location and could cause irreversible damage to the area’s character.
Despite reservations voiced by then-communities secretary Michael Gove, who approved the plans earlier this year, the High Court ultimately ruled that the decision rests with the secretary and upheld the development’s planning permission. The Mitsubishi Estate-backed project will replace ITV’s former headquarters with a mix of office space, retail, and an arts and culture hub.
Gove’s Hesitant Approval Draws Scrutiny
In his ruling, Mr Justice Mould acknowledged the “surprising” nature of Gove’s decision, noting the former secretary’s stated concerns about the building’s aesthetic suitability for such a prominent site. Gove himself admitted he “does not consider that the proposed palette of materials and the aesthetic appearance of the building is appropriate” for the sensitive South Bank setting.
Gove’s approval came 10 months after receiving a planning inspector’s report recommending a green light for the Slab, an extended delay some saw as indicative of his hesitancy. The High Court’s decision, validating Gove’s right as the ultimate arbiter in this case, has left opponents frustrated and exploring the possibility of an appeal.
Outrage Over Lack of Housing, Threats to Heritage
Among the most vocal critics has been the Save Our South Bank group, which spearheaded the failed legal action. The group contends the development is fundamentally unsuitable as it lacks any housing provisions, despite being earmarked for mixed-use. They also raised alarms over the carbon cost of demolishing and rebuilding on the site, and the “irreversible damage” the hulking structure could inflict on neighboring architectural gems.
This hugely disappointing decision gives the go-ahead to a universally derided development which will cause irreversible damage to the unique modern heritage and dynamism of London’s South Bank.
Catherine Croft, director of the Twentieth Century Society
From the Royal Festival Hall to Waterloo Bridge, the South Bank boasts a collection of cherished post-war landmarks now fated to be “overshadowed by the hulking monolith that is ‘the Slab’“, warned Catherine Croft of the Twentieth Century Society, an advocacy group that backed the Save Our South Bank campaign. She decried the High Court ruling for greenlighting a “universally derided” project sure to scar the area’s distinct modernist legacy.
The Path Ahead: Appeals and Outcry
As the dust settles on the momentous court decision, those rallying against the loathed Slab are considering their limited remaining options. Save Our South Bank says an appeal is on the table as they vow to continue the fight, though the grounds on which they could contest the High Court’s support for Gove’s determination remain unclear.
What is apparent is the profound disappointment and sense of resignation permeating the South Bank community following this stinging defeat. There is a palpable feeling that a beloved stretch of London is on the brink of being scarred beyond recognition, with profits placed before preservation.
As the Slab edges closer to reality, becoming an unavoidable fixture on the horizon, opponents may have no choice but to adapt to this polarizing addition to the South Bank skyline. The battle, hard-fought and passionately waged, may have reached its bitter conclusion, cementing the Slab’s place in London’s future, for better or worse.
