Wrangle over future of old ITV studios on South Bank may go to High Court

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

South London residents are set to go to the High Court in a last ditch effort to block the construction of a 25-storey office block on the South Bank.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove in February waved through the project which will see ITV’s former headquarters at 72 Upper Ground bulldozed and replaced with offices.

But campaigners are determined to stop the development, which they claim will be a blot on the capital’s skyline and have disastrous consequences for the environment. They’re also unhappy that the plans for the site do not include any housing.

Campaign group Save Our South Bank is attempting to raise £15,000 in donations to force a judicial review in an attempt to overturn Mr Gove’s approval of the plans.

The planned High Court challenge is the latest twist in a two-year battle between campaigners and Mitsubishi Estate London and CO–RE, which is bringing forward the development, since the project was originally approved by Lambeth council in March 2022.

Two months after councillors agreed the plans for the site by a majority of six to one, Mr Gove ordered construction work on the site to pause while he decided whether to look into the proposals himself.

An inquiry into the plans ordered by Mr Gove concluded in January 2023. It took another 13 months for the Housing Secretary to announce his decision to allow the project to go ahead.

ITV’s ex-studios would be bulldozed and replaced with offices, restaurants, shops and a new gallery under the plans for the site.

Michael Ball, from Save Our South Bank, said a judicial review was the last chance to halt the plan, adding: “The slab development not only threatens the enjoyment of millions walking the South Bank, but also undermines efforts to address our city’s housing crisis while needlessly emitting over 100,000 tonnes of CO2. It is an extraordinary feat of self-harm.”

In a joint statement, Mitsubishi Estate London and CO—RE said their proposals would be a ‘fantastic addition’ to the South Bank and would provide a ‘high quality commercial and arts-led development.’

Shinichi Kagitomi, chief executive of Mitsubishi Estate London and Stephen Black, director at CO—RE, said: “72 Upper Ground represents a £700m investment in the UK, creating over 4,000 new jobs, and vital new workspace that prioritises sustainability and wellbeing.

“We are looking forward to working with our cultural neighbours and the wider community to deliver an outstanding building that makes a significant positive contribution to its place.”

Pictured top: CGI of planned development (Picture: Make Architects)