Historic Royal Palaces Statement

December 2024
HM Tower of London

The Tower of London is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a status only given to a small number of sites in the world considered worthy of special protection for its Outstanding Universal Value.  For almost 1,000 years it has played a central role in the nation’s history, as the gateway to the capital, a fortress, palace and prison.  It is internationally recognised as the most complete example of an 11th century castle remaining in Europe.  Today, it is a major visitor attraction, cared for by the charity, Historic Royal Palaces.  The Tower welcomes over 3 million visitors a year from around the world, including over 100,000 schoolchildren. 

In recent years, Historic Royal Palaces has regularly and consistently highlighted the harm to the Tower of London World Heritage Site by the encroachment of tall buildings into views of and from the Tower.  The cumulative impact of these developments over more than a decade is significant, and we believe that it represents a substantial departure from anything envisaged in the London View Management Framework (2012) published after joint UNESCO-ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring missions to the Tower in 2006 and 2011, both of which expressed concerns about the setting due to tall building development.  We consider this cumulative impact over time, and the aspects of the emerging City of London 2040 Plan, which propose additional height in the City cluster, to be a threat to the World Heritage status of the Tower of London. 

As the guardians of the Tower of London, we strongly object to the proposed Bury House redevelopment scheme.  We believe that the position and height of the proposed development would significantly harm views from, and of the Tower.  This matters, because the physical dominance of the Tower, especially from the landmark position it occupies on the River Thames is integral to its significance: as a symbol of Norman power, and illustration of the relationship and balance of power between the royal fortress and the City of London.  If this development proceeds, it will further erode that significance and set a worrying precedent for the future. 

We were encouraged by, and welcome, the recent decision by the Deputy Prime Minister, to issue an Article 31 Holding Direction directing the City of London not to grant permission on the application without specific authorisation.  We share the concerns raised by Historic England and the Bevis Marks Synagogue about the impact of the proposal on the important heritage in their care.  For our part, we will continue to express our serious concern about the impact of this development and the precedent it sets, in the strongest possible terms. 

Notes to Editors 

For more information and images, please contact [email protected].   

Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that loves and looks after six of the most wonderful palaces in the world.  The palaces are the setting for the stories that shape us all, and we’re bringing them to people in ways that mean more to them.  We want everyone to find themselves in the spaces and stories we share.  Registered charity number 1068852. For more information visit www.hrp.org.uk  

Background information 

London Views Management Framework (March 2012) 

River Prospect 10 Tower Bridge 

Description of the view (extract) 

The location enables the fine detail and the layers of history of the Tower of London to be readily understood. This understanding and appreciation is enhanced by the free sky space around the White Tower. Where it has been compromised its visual dominance has been devalued. The middle ground includes the varied elements of the City, rising behind the Tower. These include prominent tall buildings of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and earlier periods such as spires of City churches and The Monument in the centre of the view. 30 St Mary A (‘The Gherkin’) is prominent in its relationship with the Tower of London. 

Visual Management Guidance (extract) 

The Tower of London should not be dominated by new development close to it. Development proposals likely to affect the World Heritage Site should pay regard to the guidance set out in the Tower of London World Heritage Site Management Plan published by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP). HRP manages the Tower of London. It is recommended that HRP and English Heritage a consulted on all relevant proposals at an early stage. 

Background (extract) 

Views from this place include the relationship between the Tower of London and the City in the background. It is important that the background of the landmark in these views is managed sensitively and should not compromise a viewer’s ability to appreciate the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site. Development should not breach the skyline of the four towers of the White Tower or its castellations. Some visual separation should be retained between the upper parts of the White Tower and the emerging cluster of tall buildings in the background.