Watson Day Chartered Surveyors Kent

Controversial Broadgate development approved

The redevelopment of a new 700,000 sq ft HQ for investment bank UBS at Broadgate, has been approved by the City’s planning committee.

The committee this morning voted unanimously in favour of the scheme, which has been criticised by property and architecture grandees and includes the first redevelopment of original buildings at Broadgate, owned by British Land and Blackstone.

The new building, 5 Broadgate, has been designed by Ken Shuttleworth’s Make, and will see existing buildings at 4 and 6 Broadgate demolished and redeveloped. In an amendment to the planning application submitted by British Land and Blackstone, 3 Broadgate will now be retained.

The distinctive new building has been criticised by Sir Stuart Lipton, who originally developed Broadgate in the 1980s when at Stanhope alongside Godfrey Bradman’s Rosehaugh. Lipton said it was the worst building he had seen in the City for 20 years.

Peter Rees, the City planning officer, said: “The plans approved today for 5 Broadgate demonstrate the adaptability of the original development concept and the vision of its architect, Peter Foggo.

“Broadgate is defined by the quality of its open spaces which have been critical to its lasting appeal amongst the City community.

“The City of London works hard to ensure that new developments represent the best of contemporary architecture while respecting our cherished network of alleys and open spaces - the gossip channels of the Square Mile - 5 Broadgate succeeds on both counts.”