Fears Huge 56-Storey Skyscraper Could Disfigure 800-Year-Old Church
Concerns rise as a new skyscraper threatens the historic St Ethelburga’s church in London, sparking community objections and fears of disruption.
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London: A former archbishop is sounding the alarm about a proposed 56-storey skyscraper that could overshadow the historic St Ethelburga’s church. This medieval church, dating back to 1250, is just 20 meters away from the planned site at 99 Bishopsgate.
Brookfield, the developer behind the project, wants to create one of the tallest buildings in the City of London. They argue it will boost the area’s economic activity. But locals are worried about the impact on the church, which has survived fires and bombings over the centuries.
Lord Rowan Williams, the former archbishop, has called the skyscraper a “wholly undesirable” development. He believes it would disrupt the church’s vital work in promoting peace and reflection.
Co-directors of the church, Clare Martin and Tarot Couzyn, echoed these concerns. They fear the construction noise and chaos could ruin the church’s peaceful atmosphere, which is essential for their community activities.
They mentioned that the ongoing construction could threaten their funding and make it impossible to continue their charitable work. A letter of objection highlighted that losing St Ethelburga’s would mean losing a priceless piece of local history.
The Bishopsgate area is already filled with towering skyscrapers, but this new project could overshadow the historic church. Locals are worried about the noise and disruption it would bring, with one resident calling it an “existential threat” to the church’s future.
Even property advisors have weighed in, saying the potential harm to St Ethelburga’s and other historic churches outweighs the benefits of the new skyscraper. Concerns have also been raised about how it might affect views of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Former Tory MP Sir Tony Baldry, who is also the parish clerk of St Ethelburga’s, has joined the call to stop the plans. He emphasized the church’s role in peace-building and interfaith dialogue, which is crucial in today’s world.
In response, a spokesperson for the development insists they are committed to addressing the community’s concerns and are in talks with the church. They believe the new building will bring significant public and cultural benefits.