Mayor consults on protecting London’s river views

"London's landmarks are cherished by Londoners and visitors to this great city," said Ken Livingstone. "The London Plan identifies 26 designated views of strategic importance and this document will provide the necessary degree of certainty to help guide the planning process in considering the impact of tall buildings and developments on London's landmarks. It will also better define the protected views of those landmarks."

Views in and around SE1 include the river prospect upstream from Tower Bridge. Views from London Bridge and Southwark Bridge are also considered in the document.

The draft guidance says that "developers and architects should be encourage to improve the setting of Southwark Cathedral through appropriate design. Maintaining a skyline for the Cathedral between the developing cluster of tall buildings at London Bridge is important...".

Views from Bankside across to St Paul's and the City are also covered by the guidance, including views of the City churches from the Millennium Bridge.

The guidance calls for viewing plaques on Waterloo Bridge to be repositioned to aid viewers' enjoyment of the views.

Also considered are views from Blackfriars Bridge and the South Bank including the viewpoint near Gabriel's Wharf, Jubilee Gardens and the Golden Jubilee Bridges alongside Hungerford Bridge.

Views of the South Bank from Victoria Embankment will also have some protection when the guidance is adopted.

The London View Management Framework draft supplementary planning guidance can be downloaded from the GLA website. Responses must be received by 5pm on 15 July 2005.