Key facts
- UK housing minister Michael Gove blocked plans for new skyscrapers near the Tower of London.
- The decision was made due to concerns about the impact on heritage sites.
- The City of London Corporation had previously approved the skyscraper plans.
- The City of London Corporation criticized the decision as 'anti-growth'.
- The Corporation stated that heritage issues had already been addressed.
Plans for new skyscrapers in the City of London, near the historic Tower of London, have been blocked by UK housing minister Michael Gove. Gove cited concerns over the impact of the proposed developments on the heritage of the area, including the nearby Tower of London, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The City of London Corporation, the local planning authority that had approved the skyscraper plans, expressed strong disapproval of the minister's decision. A spokesperson for the Corporation described the move as 'anti-growth' and argued that the heritage concerns had already been sufficiently addressed during the planning process. The decision effectively halts a significant development project that was intended to reshape the skyline and potentially boost economic activity in the financial district.