Planning minister withdraws intervention in City of London emerging local plan

In June Matthew Pennycook intervened after concerns were raised about impacts on the site.

He directed the Planning Inspectorate not to publish its report on the draft local plan and to consider recommendations from Historic England regarding the document’s approach to tall buildings.

The minister also directed the inspectors to hold further hearings to allow the parties that made representations in relation to heritage and tall buildings policies to appear and be heard, and to issue their findings in a post-hearings letter.

A June 2025 statement of common ground between Historic England and the Corporation had highlighted the charity's concerns about the policy on views of the Tower of London, which borders the local plan’s area.

The charity’s proposed revisions would lead to a loss of potential additional floorspace capacity in the square mile of around 32,000sqm (NIA), according to the statement.

Writing in response to the inspectors’ post-hearings letter, the Planning Minister said: “As you know, the government is committed to the protection of the historic environment, and the new National Planning Policy Framework continues to make clear that heritage assets should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance. We have also confirmed we will be implementing the additional special regard duties set out in s.102 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, which will apply to designated heritage assets including World Heritage Sites, making clear their protections in the planning system.

“Having considered your letter, I am satisfied that your findings clearly demonstrate a thorough and considered assessment of the balance involved in facilitating essential economic growth while mitigating the risk of potential harm to precious heritage assets. Your conclusions have convinced me that the City Plan’s heritage policies, along with the requirements for site-specific Heritage Impact Assessments, would, if adopted, provide substantial safeguards to protect the Tower of London World Heritage Site and mitigate the risk of harm to the Tower’s attributes of Outstanding Universal Value. Combined with the recent changes made to national policy, this provides the reassurance I was seeking.

“Accordingly, I am withdrawing the directions in my letter of 25 June 2026, and I look forward to seeing the examination of the City Plan conclude in the near future.”

The City of London Corporation said the minister’s decision clears the way for the inspectors to release their final report, expected in the coming weeks, after which it will progress the emerging plan towards adoption through its internal committees, before the end of the year.

Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation Chris Hayward, said: “"This is an outstanding result for the City, for London and for the wider UK economy. The independent Planning Inspectorate has recognised that it is possible to protect one of our nation's most important heritage assets while still supporting the growth our country needs.

"We are grateful to the Housing Minister for his swift consideration of this matter and for acting decisively. This decision brings us another important step closer to adopting City Plan 2040, which will provide the certainty needed to support future investment, jobs and ensure the Square Mile remains one of the world's leading business destinations."

Tom Sleigh, Chairman of the Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said: “This was never a choice between the Tower of London and jobs. The City was here first. William the Conqueror started his tower in 1078 in the corner of a city already a thousand years old, and the two have grown side by side ever since.

"Independent inspectors have now tested the plan and agreed: the Tower is protected and the City has room to grow. Credit to our planning, design and heritage officers, whose work this was. Now we adopt the plan and get on with building."