Tall & Urban News

The redevelopment of ITV's former studios on the South Bank has received a green light from Communities Secretary Michael Gove. Gove's approval follows a public inquiry and backs the planning inspector's recommendation to proceed with CO-RE and Mitsubishi Estate's £700 million ($887.7 million USD) redevelopment plan.

The scheme, designed by architecture firm Make, involves replacing the former 24-story London Television Centre at 72 Upper Ground with two office blocks, one at 26 stories and another at 13 stories. Despite objections from locals, campaigners, and heritage groups, including Historic England, both Lambeth council and the mayor of London had initially approved the project in 2022, but was blocked by the previous Communities Secretary, Greg Clark.

According to the plans, the demolition of the London Television Centre will involve having 100 percent of the structure recycled. It has been outlined that a crusher will be set up on site so that all demolition arisings can be recycled and used for the piling mat in phase 3. Brickwork, stone, and concrete will all be crushed to produce aggregates for use in the piling mat. All structural steelwork, reinforcement, and embedded mechanical and electrical services will be transported directly or via the recycling depot to scrap metal merchants. It was also stated that they are currently looking at a pilot scheme to test structural steelwork for possible reuse as an alternative to sending it for scrap.

Gove's decision, delayed multiple times, has brought the scheme closer to fruition. Make's founding partner, Frank Filskow, expressed delight, emphasizing the project's contribution to the South Bank's character. The design aims to blend modernity with sensitivity to the area's architectural heritage, offering commercial and arts spaces while prioritizing well-being and public amenities.

Mitsubishi Estate London chief executive Shinichi Kagitomi and CO-RE director Stephen Black welcomed the approval, highlighting the project's transformational potential for the South Bank and London as a whole. They expressed commitment to community engagement and enhancing London's appeal as a global city.

The decision, outlined in a 340-page letter from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC), aligns with the planning inspector's recommendation. Lendlease has been appointed for the main construction contract, signaling progress after initial delays.

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