ITV studios redevelopment ‘The Slab’ on South Bank called in by Government and faces public inquiry

A controversial development at the former ITV Studios on South Bank, called ‘The Slab’ by campaigners against it, has reportedly been called in by the Government and will face a public inquiry.

The building at 72 Upper Ground was set to be demolished after the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, confirmed he was not going to prevent the redevelopment despite thousands of objections and fears of cutting daylight for nearby residents.

Plans approved by Lambeth council would have seen seen the building increase in overall height from 85 metres to 109 metres.

MP Greg Clark, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities, used his powers to call the development.

He said he wants a public inquiry to look at whether the proposal in accordance with statutory development plans and the extent to which the proposed development is consistent with the Government policies for conserving and enhancing the historic environment

Local campaigners welcomed the intervention of Mr Clark’s call in after a campaign which included big institutional voices such as the National Theatre.

Local resident and SOS Save Our South Bank Action Group co-chair, Hannah Quigley, said: “We welcome the local inquiry and will fully participate in the process to find a more suitable proposal for this important heritage location.

“The South Bank deserves better for its neighbouring residents and millions of visitors to the area alike.”

The building was purchased by the Mitsubishi Estate and CO-RE for £145.6million in November 2019.

It was approved by the planning application committee in March 2022 with six votes in favour to one in opposition, with 264 objections from the public.

Michael Ball, Waterloo Community Development Group campaigner, said: “This decision by the Secretary of State is an acknowledgement that neither Lambeth council nor the mayor of London properly scrutinised the impact on listed national buildings, on some of the capital’s greatest views, or on the climate emergency.

“Thanks to Greg Clark, these plans will be suitably examined at last.”

Vauxhall MP Florence Eshalomi contributed her voice to the campaign raisng the point that no homes are included in the plans.

Campaigners also said it will “blight views of the Thames from every angle”.

David Hopkins, Coin Street Community Builders said: “We are relieved the Secretary of State’s decision now means these overbearing office proposals will receive the scrutiny they deserve.

We’ve raised serious concerns about the harm this development would cause in wiping out daylight to neighbouring social housing and casting the riverside into shadow.

“The National Theatre, Historic England and the 20th Century Society have rightly pointed out the damage ‘The Slab’ would do to the views along the South Bank.”

Pictured top: A computer-generated image of the view of the new development from Waterloo Bridge (Picture: Make Architects)