City Corporation approves plans for London’s largest building to incorporate vertical urban greening

The City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee has today (14 May) approved plans for what will be the first building in London to incorporate urban greening on such a large scale.

The building at 50 Fenchurch Street will incorporate extensive vertical urban greening that is designed to mitigate air and noise pollution, combat the heat island effect, improve biodiversity, and help rainwater run-off management. It will also make the area healthier and more attractive for workers, residents and visitors.

Bespoke metal planters will provide support for climbing plants on the south, north and east elevations to create an expansive green façade. At level 10, urban greening will be provided on the roof terrace through unique sculptural elements with vertical planting and the double height winter garden.

In comparison with the existing site, the development will deliver a 36 fold increase in public space on the ground floor level and a public roof garden and winter garden at 10^th floor level, while also delivering 60,000 sq m of office space across 35 floors and 800 sq m of retail space. A new Livery Hall and offices for the Clothworkers’ Company and The Clothworkers’ Foundation will also be built at 50 Fenchurch Street. The scheme will also relocate the historical 12^th century Lambe’s Chapel Crypt to a new location forming part of the free public exhibition at lower ground floor level, enriching the cultural attraction of the City to visitors and workers.

Plans approved also include 1248 long stay cycle parking spaces, alongside showers and associated facilities, and 42 short stay cycle parking spaces within a new public square for the City with the Grade 1 listed All Hallows Staining Church tower as its centre-point.

Alastair Moss, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said:

“The City of London Corporation is proud to support world-class development – creating more great spaces for the people who work, visit and live in the Square Mile.

“The new 50 Fenchurch Street building will be of the highest quality design and has a number of innovative features, including extensive urban greening all the way into the higher floors and a new public space. It provides a significant increase in flexible office floorspace, meeting one of the primary objectives of the City’s Local Plan and London Plan policies.

“We hope this new building will provide an example of sustainable development fit for future generations, as the City continues its pattern of sustainable growth.”

The City of London Corporation has a commitment to world-class sustainable development and has included the key aims of greening of the City and more open spaces in the draft City Plan 2036. As part of this, all new developments and refurbishments will be required to include a greening element to the building or public realm to contribute to improving biodiversity, rainwater run-off, air and noise pollution, temperature regulation, and making the City a more visually desirable business location.

The development achieves an Urban Greening Factor (UGF) of 0.34.

The full report is available here.

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk