Corrections to the draft LVMF

The Mayor has published some corrections to the draft LVMF:
Revised London View Management Framework SPG - errata
Published 28 August 2009


Correction:
Page 17-18 "Map 2: Assessment Points in Central London" should have a dotted red line from 19A.1 and 19A.2.
Page 169 Viewing Location map should have a dotted red line from 19A.1 and 19A.2.
Reason: Paragraph 341 notes that the visual management guidance (including the protected silhouette), should be considered from any position between Assessment Points 19A.1 and 19A.2. Noting this on the diagrams would make this assessment requirement clearer.

Correction:
Page 159. The image captioned "Panorama from Assessment Point 18A.2 Westminster Bridge: upstream - at the centre of the bridge" should include purple lines denoting the protected silhouette over the Palace of Westminster.
The draft revised LVMF provides visual management guidance that refers to the continuity of the view between Assessment Points 18A.1 and 18A.2 (noted by a red line at the description of the viewing location). To maintain consistency with this aspect of the guidance, the Protected Silhouette over the Palace of Westminster shown over the image for 18A.2 also applies to the view from 18A.1 and other places along the red line. This should be made clear by annotating the relevant image on page 159.

Correction:
Page 183. The image captioned “Panorama from Assessment Point 21A.1 Thames side in front of County Hall – close to Westminster Bridge" should include purple lines denoting the protected silhouette over the Palace of Westminster.
Paragraph 364 describes a protected silhouette in this view. The images should be consistent with this guidance.

Correction:
Page 202. The red line indicating the top of the Protected Vista in the image labelled "Telephoto view of Protected Vista from Assessment Point 23A.1 to Palace of Westminster" should be 1.5mm higher.
The illustration of the height of the Protected Vista from 23A.1 Bridge Over the Serpentine is incorrect in the telephoto photograph. It should be amended so that it is consistent with the detailed descriptions of the protected vista elsewhere in the draft revised LVMF.

Corrected pages:
Pages 17-18 PDF
Page 159 PDF
Page 202 PDF
Page 254 PDF

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Consultation Extended

Due to the high number of requests, the consultation period on the draft SPG has been extended from 4th September to 30th September 2009.

Responses can be made by post to:

Boris Johnson
Mayor of London
(Draft Revised London View Management Framework)
Greater London Authority
Freepost LON15799
London SE1 2BR

Or by email to: mayor@london.gov.uk with 'Draft Revised London View Management Framework' as the subject.

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Extract from LVMF: Victoria Embankment: between Waterloo and Hungerford Bridges 20B.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
353 New development placed amongst the buildings in the middle ground
should be designed to contribute positively to the composition of the
group as a whole.

Background
354 It is recognised that new development, including within the Waterloo
Opportunity Area, may become visible in the background of this view. Such
development may be acceptable if it is sensitively designed and does not
dominate the riverside buildings.


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Extract from LVMF: River Prospect: Jubilee Gardens and Thames side in front of County Hall 21A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
363 Built elements, or elements moored on the river, should not be allowed to compromise this clear view towards the Palace of Westminster.

Background
364 Background development which breaches the skyline of the Palace of Westminster and affects its silhouette should not be supported.

365 Other development within the background of the view should enhance the composition of the view and the relationship between landscape elements and landmarks. It should also be of exceptional architectural quality. The assessment should also consider viewing positions in the viewing location, such as where the Abbey towers are seen in the gap between St Stephen’s Tower and Portcullis House.



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Extract from LVMF: Victoria Embankment: between Westminster and Hungerford Bridges 20A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
347 Landmarks in the view should not be obscured by foreground elements, including kiosks on the Embankment and moored boats or jetties on the river.

Background
348 It is recognised that new development, including within the Waterloo Opportunity Area, may become visible in the background of this view. Such development may be acceptable if it is sensitively designed and does not dominate the riverside buildings, particularly the former County Hall.


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Extract from LVMF: Lambeth Bridge: downstream 19A.1 and 19A.2

Foreground and Middle Ground
339 Each landmark should remain visible and able to be appreciated by the viewer.

Background
340 It should be noted that a new tall buildings might emerge at the Waterloo Opportunity Area. These should be of high quality, contribute to the formation of a cluster of tall buildings and should contribute positively to views from Lambeth Bridge. The incremental consolidation of the cluster of tall buildings at the City of London is also anticipated.

341 The backdrop of the Palace of Westminster World Heritage Site is designated as a Protected Silhouette when viewed from any position at or between Assessment Points 19A.1 and 19A.2.


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Extract from LVMF: Jubilee Gardens 21B.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
370 The dominance of the river, river-oriented activities and the backdrop of trees are important elements of the view that should not be compromised.

Background
371 New development in the backdrop should be designed sensitively and should not dominate the riverside buildings, or undermine their relationship with the river.

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Extract from LVMF: Westminster Bridge: downstream 18B.1 and 18B.2

Foreground and Middle Ground
326 The foreground is the river and the middle ground the Embankment leading the eye to the various landmark buildings forming it.

327 The setting of the group of buildings including County Hall, The London Eye and the Shell Centre, should be carefully considered. New development in the view should contribute positively to that setting.

Background
328 The civic nature of the buildings on the north bank in this view has a clarity which should not normally be disturbed by any background development.

329 New tall buildings at the Waterloo Opportunity Area should contribute to the development of a legible cluster. These should be of the highest design quality, and should, as part of the cluster, enhance views from the location. They should not dominate riverside buildings or diminish their relationship with the river.


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Extract from LVMF: Albert Embankment between Westminster and Lambeth Bridges along Thames path near St Thomas’ Hospital 22A.1, 22A.2 and 22A.3

Foreground and Middle Ground
379 No development or fixed items should be added to the foreground. The temporary structures on the terrace to Parliament should be kept in good order and should not be prominent in the view.

Background
380 The existing skyline of the Palace of Westminster from Albert Embankment, as seen in this view, should not be altered. Development of high quality, which does not visually interact with the landmark, may be acceptable in the areas north of the building, and should conform to the prevailing building heights. To the south, development should not be visible above trees at Victoria Tower Gardens, which, from all of the views in this Viewing Place, visually co-join the landmark.

381 The Palace of Westminster World Heritage Site is subject to a Protected Silhouette when viewed from any position between Assessment Points 22A.1, 22A.2 and 22A.3



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Extract from LVMF: Westminster Bridge: upstream 18A.1, 18A.2 and 18A.3

Foreground and Middle Ground
321 No development is anticipated in the foreground and middle ground of this view.

Background
322 New clusters of tall buildings are likely to emerge within the Vauxhall/Nine Elms Opportunity Area. These developments offer the potential opportunity to significantly improve the background townscape and skyline to Lambeth Bridge. New development in this area should be of the highest design quality, including tall buildings that contribute to a cluster of compositional value that enhances views from Westminster Bridge.


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Extract from LVMF: Golden Jubilee/Hungerford Footbridges: downstream 17B.1 and 17B.2.

Foreground and Middle Ground
309 The intensification of river activity will be welcomed as a counterpoint to the distinct middle ground of Waterloo Bridge.

Background
310 There are opportunities for additional development in the background if it is of a high quality, and if it makes a contribution to the existing characteristics and composition of the view. In particular, proposals for tall buildings in the Waterloo Opportunity Area should be designed to relate to and strengthen the composition of the group of buildings in the middle ground on the South Bank without overpowering other elements of the view.

311 High buildings seen in relation to St Paul’s Cathedral should be grouped with either the eastern or northern cluster of tall City buildings.


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Extract from LVMF: Townscape View: Bridge over the Serpentine to Westminster 23A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
388 Development proposals that are overly intrusive, unsightly or prominent to the detriment of the view as a whole will be refused. From this viewing place developments which fail to relate well in terms of height, scale, massing and materials, and relationship to other buildings in the view, are likely to negatively affect views of the historic features within the World Heritage Site.

389 The line of view crosses Green Park, St James’s Park and Parliament Square, as well as the built-up area to the south-east of St James’s Park. The landscape maintenance regime in the fore and middle grounds, therefore, has a strong influence on the character and composition of the view. It should be reviewed periodically to ensure that the qualities of the view are maintained.

390 A Protected Vista is defined from Assessment Point 23A.1 to the Victoria Tower and the Central Lobby Tower of the Palace of Westminster. It also includes the western towers of Westminster Abbey.

391 The Landmark Viewing Corridor extends across the lake and through the city to the south side of St James’s Park. The Ministry of Justice building in the foreground significantly diminishes views of the Westminster World Heritage Site and is not justification for further development that would impact, in a negative way, on the view.

Background
392 Development in the background in Lambeth and Southwark should not undermine the relationship between the towers of the World Heritage Site through their height or prominence. New tall buildings in the background of the view must be subordinate to the World Heritage Site.

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Extract from LVMF: River Prospect: Golden Jubilee/Hungerford Footbridges: upstream 17A.1 and 17A.2

Foreground and Middle Ground
298 Landmarks make an important contribution to the skyline and they should not be obscured by new development.

Background
299 The view is characterised by the Palace of Westminster, as the most prominent building, punctuating the skyline and rising above the trees on the Embankment. Development proposed behind the other river frontage buildings must respond to the character and appearance of existing buildings and should not encroach on, or form a backdrop to, the Palace of Westminster in this view.

300 Incremental change to development in the background of the river frontage is acceptable provided each addition to the view contributes positively to the composition.

301 It should be noted that new clusters of tall buildings may emerge at Vauxhall/Nine Elms Opportunity Area. Tall building proposals in that area should be designed to relate to and strengthen the composition of the emerging cluster of tall buildings.

302 The full length of the Palace of Westminster is subject to a Protected Silhouette when viewed from any position at or between Assessment Points 17A.1 and 17A.2 (as defined by the purple lines on the photographs).


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Extract from LVMF: Townscape View: Island Gardens, Isle of Dogs to Royal Naval College 24A.1, 24A.2 and 24A.3

Foreground and Middle Ground
402 Other landmarks make important contributions to wider views from Island Gardens. New development should be designed so as not to impact on the viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate these landmarks.

Background
403 Development that affects the silhouette of the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site will have a negative impact on the setting of the landmark. Views of the World Heritage Site are subject to a Protected Silhouette when viewed from any position at or between 24A.2 and 24A.3 (defined by the purple lines on the photographs. Development that affects this silhouette should not be supported.


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Extract from LVMF: The South Bank: Gabriel’s Wharf viewing platform 16B.1 and 16B.2

Foreground and Middle Ground
289 There are several landmarks and historic buildings other than St Paul’s Cathedral in the view, which aid the viewer’s strategic appreciation of London. Views of these landmarks should not be obscured by new development in the foreground or middle ground.

Background
290 The qualities of the clear view of St Paul’s Cathedral should remain and should not be reduced by inappropriate development crowding in too close to the landmark, dominating it or merging with its silhouette, when seen by the viewer moving between Assessment Points.


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Extract from LVMF: Townscape View: The Queen’s Walk to Tower of London 25A.1, 25A.2 and 25A.3

Foreground and Middle Ground
414 No development should occur in the foreground because the direct relationship between the Tower of London and the river is essential for it to be recognised and appreciated by the viewer. The trees in the middle ground are an important element in the setting of the Tower of London in the view.

Background
415 Development in the background of the view should relate positively to the Tower of London, including all its constituent parts, in views from viewing location 25A. From all Assessment Points, the World Heritage Site should continue to dominate its surroundings. It is particularly important that anynew development relates positively to the White Tower.

416 Elements in the backdrop of the White Tower would undermine the ability of the viewer to appreciate the landmark and its historical significance to the development of London and the nation as a whole. Any proposed development which breaks the consultation plane of the Landmark Background Assessment Area of the Protected Vista and will be visible above the White Tower will be refused.

417 Proposals sited elsewhere than behind the White Tower and beyond the immediate setting in the distant background, must respect the historic significance of the World Heritage Site. New development should not dominate the WHS ensemble.

418 Early pre-application discussions with the relevant planning authorities and statutory consultees, including the Historical Royal Palaces, are recommended for any proposals regarding tall buildings affecting the wider setting of the Tower of London.

419 Development that would change the silhouette of the White Tower when viewed from Assessment Points 25A.2 and 25A.3, or points in between, would have a negative impact on the setting of the landmark. The World Heritage Site is therefore subject to a Protected Silhouette when viewed from any position at or between 25A.2 and 25A.3 (defined by the purple lines on the photographs). Development that affects this silhouette will be refused by the Mayor and should be refused by the relevant local authority.


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Extract from LVMF: River Prospect: The South Bank The South Bank: outside Royal National Theatre 16A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
280 The dominance and singularity of the treescape of Temple Gardens, as a break in development, should be maintained and enhanced, as should the treescape on the Embankment.

Background
281 Development in the background of Somerset House should not dominate the landmark. Improvements to the setting of the landmark are encouraged through appropriate, high-quality design that respects Somerset House as the principal building in the view. The skyline of the view could be improved by new development of high architectural design quality in the background.


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Extract from LVMF: Townscape View: St James’s Park to Horse Guards Road 26A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
427 No development is expected in the foreground. The middle ground landscape needs to be managed to maintain its dominance in the view.

Background
428 Any further development proposed in the distant skyline background of this view, should be of appropriate scale and geometry. It should not dominate or overpower either of the existing two groups of built form or
the landscape elements between and either side of them, or detract from night-time views. Any tall building proposals in the distant background should relate to one or the other of the existing groups and must be of exceptional design quality, in particular with regard to their roofline, materials, shape and silhouette. New buildings should appear as part of the existing groups of buildings. In particular, buildings that appear above the central third of the Duck Island trees would damage the viewer’s ability to see these groups of buildings in conjunction with the landscaped
foreground and should be refused.


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Extract from LVMF: Waterloo Bridge: downstream 15B.1 and 15B.2

Foreground and Middle Ground
272 New development should not be allowed to obscure any part of a significant landmark.

Background
273 Consideration should be given to the space St Paul’s Cathedral requires between it and tall buildings to maintain its visual separation.

274 Development which visually interacts or visually connects with, dominates or unacceptably imposes on the peristyle, drum or dome of St Paul‘s Cathedral in the background of the view, will not be acceptable. Development should not diminish the viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate the landmark.


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Extract from LVMF: River Prospect: Waterloo Bridge Waterloo Bridge: upstream 15A.1 and 15A.2

Foreground and Middle Ground
262 New development in the foreground and middle ground should not compromise the existing riverscape character or obscure significant landmarks.

Background
263 New clusters of tall buildings may emerge within the Waterloo and Vauxhall/Nine Elms Opportunity Areas. Tall buildings are already consented at Vauxhall/Nine Elms and it is important that further proposals are designed to relate to and strengthen the composition of the emerging cluster there. New buildings visible to the right of Millbank Tower should not detract from the dominance of the Palace of Westminster in the view.

264 The full length of the Palace of Westminster is afforded a Protected Silhouette when viewed from any position at or between Assessment Points 15A.1 and 15A.2 (as defined by the purple lines on the photographs).


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