Latest Blackfriars Road tower gets approval

Southwark council has taken another step forward in its vision to transform Blackfriars Road into a “vibrant place”.

The council has approved plans by PLP Architecture to redevelop eyesore-office building Friars Bridge Court for client Jupiteer Friars into a 22-storey office tower.

Simon Bevan, director of planning at the council said in his report to the planning committee that the redevelopment of the site will make an “important contribution” towards regeneration of the area.

He added that “the principle of redevelopment is therefore strongly supported.”

The proposed building will provide 26,637m2 of office space with 986m2 of retail space at ground level rising to 22 storeys at the front on Blackfriars Road, but dropping down to 13 storeys to the rear on Colombo Street.

The developer is also to provide new public realm and is to give £80,000 towards improvement to Christ Church Gardens, which the new building will loom over.

The report dismissed objections from the likes of Historic England on the development’s impact on the adjacent Roupell Street conservation area and the view east down it saying it had an “acceptable impact”.

The brick being used in the cladding of the building reflects the tone and texture of the conservation area complimenting it, the report added.