The Tower of London could be placed on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites in danger unless plans for new skyscrapers in the City of London are changed.
Historic England has warned of ‘serious concerns’ about the impact of potential high-rise developments on the famous fortress, as a long-running battle over the City’s plans for new offices continues. The Tower is already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but the World Heritage Committee has warned that it could be added to its ‘in danger’ list. The UK Government has been asked to report back on the site by February 2027.
At the centre of the row is the City of London Corporation’s draft City Plan 2040, which sets out where new development could take place across the Square Mile. Historic England wants the plan amended to create more space between the Tower and the cluster of skyscrapers to the east of the City.
The heritage body says its alternative boundaries would better protect the Tower’s Outstanding Universal Value (in layman’s terms, the qualities that make it worthy of World Heritage status) while still allowing the City to meet its target for additional office space.
The City Corporation disagrees, arguing that Historic England’s proposals would limit new office space, jobs and investment while making little meaningful difference to the Tower’s protection.
The dispute has already delayed the City Plan 2040. The plan had been expected to be adopted this summer, but housing minister Matthew Pennycook intervened in June, instructing inspectors to consider Historic England’s proposals and hold further hearings on the impact on the Tower.
Historic England’s barrister Ben Du Feu said it would be ‘hard to resist’ future developments that fall within the City Corporation’s proposed boundaries, while Dr Helen Woodhouse, the organisation’s international advisor, told inspectors that UNESCO had ‘clearly said’ the current proposals were not enough to protect the site.
The Tower’s problem, basically, is that it’s no longer the tallest thing on the horizon. UNESCO has previously raised concerns that high-rise buildings in the eastern City could damage the Tower’s historic setting and visual relationship with the surrounding landscape.
The Tower was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1988, recognised for its Norman architecture, its role in English history and its landmark position beside the Thames.
It wouldn’t be the first time a World Heritage Site has lost its status. Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City was removed from UNESCO’s list in 2021 following concerns over new development and the loss of its historic character.
The City Corporation, meanwhile, says the planning changes could harm economic growth. Deputy Chris Hayward, its policy chairman, told inspectors that the government’s intervention had already led to stalled schemes and damaged investor confidence. ‘Uncertainty in the planning system is a drag on economic growth, investment and infrastructure delivery,’ he said.
Historic Royal Palaces, the charity responsible for the Tower, has backed Historic England’s position, saying the revised boundaries would demonstrate to UNESCO that concerns about the site were being taken seriously.
Tower Hamlets Council has said Historic England’s proposals would reduce potential harm to the World Heritage Site, but believes the Corporation’s plans are sufficient alongside other protections in the draft plan.
The inspectors will now prepare a letter to the City Corporation, signed by the Housing Minister, triggering the next stage of proceedings.
To be clear, the Tower of London has not lost its UNESCO status (yet). But with UNESCO warning about the possibility of an ‘in danger’ designation, the row over how many skyscrapers London can squeeze around one of its oldest landmarks has become rather more serious.
In other historical landmark news: The Monument could get a visitor centre for the first time.
Plus: The Tower of London is getting a £70 million revamp.
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