The Planning Inspectorate has rejected highly contested plans to convert and extend London’s Custom House and quayside into a luxury hotel complex. The decision follows a three year campaign led by the Georgian Group and SAVE Britain’s Heritage culminating in a public inquiry in February 2022. This was supported by John Burrell’s alternative vision of how this monumental public building, once thronged with people, can have a more public use again.
Cross Section illustrating John Burrell’s proposals
In his decision published on 30th June, Planning Inspector Mr Griffiths concluded that the plans by Cannon Capital Developments Ltd & Global Gem Hotels Ltd should be refused on heritage and planning policy grounds. He states that the hotel scheme posed a severe degree of harm to the Thameside landmark in spite of the purported public benefits of the scheme, concluding that: “The harm that would be caused to the significance of the building in producing these public benefits would be too great.”
He added that: “alterations to accommodate a viable use would lead to an unacceptable loss of significance,” and that, “If the proposal has to take the form it takes to make it viable, and that is what the evidence suggests, then the burden on the significance of the Custom House is, in my view, too great.”
Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, says:
“This decision paves the way for a new future for this landmark public building and quayside, one which celebrates its history and heritage, and throws open its doors to the people of London once again.
Pictured: The Long Room in 2021, following HMRC's vacation of the Custom House (Credit: City of London)
SAVE supported the Georgian Group who took part in the inquiry as a Rule 6 Party fighting the plans alongside the Corporation of London. Their main concern was that the proposed hotel scheme would not provide the degree and perpetuity of public access that are necessary to preserve the significance of the heritage asset which derives so greatly from its historic public use. Public access to the Custom House’s interior (including the Long Room) and to the broad Riverside Terrace is critical to securing the City Corporation’s vision for regenerating the Riverside.
SAVE published an alternative vision with architect John Burrell in October 2020 illustrating how the Custom House could be given a more public role. Included in the report is a cross section drawing by John Burrell showing the Long Room opened up for public events and new connections created between the lower floors and vast basements. New public space on the River Thames is transformed with the historic ship SS Robin moored alongside and open to visitors.
The full SAVE report entitled The Custom House by John Burrell can be downloaded here.
Customs House (Credit SAVE Britain’s Heritage)
Marcus Binney, executive president of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, says:
“Our concern from the off has been not only to find a sympathetic and lively new use for the Custom House, one of the hidden treasures of the Thames, but to secure public access in perpetuity to the magnificent river terrace. This terrace has a breath-taking view of Tower Bridge and the Pool of London and has the potential to be one of the City of London’s most attractive and sunniest public spaces, from dawn to dusk.”