9A.1 Linear View - King Henry's Mound to St Paul's

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Alexandra Palace (crop) - Visibility Study

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The visibility and appearance of buildings at a distance changes as a result of atmospheric effects. Factors include air moisture/relative humidity, particulate matter, wind direction, sun angle and elevation. The 10 second film above demonstrates the same scene viewed under different conditions.

The film starts with a photo taken in January: The contrast between foreground and background is less than in other conditions - due to low relative humidity, low particulate count, and winds from north. More definition and detail can be perceived on distant buildings in these conditions.

The film ends on a photo taken in July: Maximum contrast effect between foreground and background (i.e. perceived as least clear, objects at distance reading lighter) due to high relative humidity, high particulate count and winds from south east. High relative humidity results in extra moisture content in air and reduces the tonal range of buildings / landmarks viewed at distance.

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4A1_Primrose Hill

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LVMF – Primrose Hill 4
Primrose Hill is in publicly accessible park land north of Regents Park. There is one viewing location at the summit of the hill. The two Assessment Points are identified in the draft 4A.1 and 4A.2 share the same position at the summit. Each point is the starting position for a Protected Vista towards Strategically Important Landmarks identified in the draft LVMF.



Viewing Location 4A

Assessment Point 4A.1:
Assessment Point 4A.1 is orientated towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. The position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The Viewing Corridor at the centre of the Cathedral is 130m wide, 10m wider than the 2007 guidance and encloses the main Cathedral dome and Western Towers
The Left Lateral Assessment Area has been widened from 70m in 2007 to 110m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Right Lateral Assessment Area has been widened from 20m in 2007 to 60m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Background Assessment Area has been widened from approximately 311m to approximately 445m.
The threshold height levels remain consistent between the 2007 and draft 2009 guidance.

Assessment Point 4A.2:
Assessment Point 4A.2 is orientated towards The Palace of Westminster. The position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The Viewing Corridor at the centre of the Cathedral is 300m wide, 50m wider than the 2007 guidance and encloses the Victoria Tower, Central Towers and St. Stephens Tower of the Palace as well as the eastern end of Westminster Abbey.
There are no left and Right Lateral Assessment Areas – this is consistent with the 2007 guidance.
The Background Assessment Area has been widened from approximately 420m to approximately 505m.
The threshold height levels remain consistent between the 2007 and draft 2009 guidance.

References
1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 56-60
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 94-102
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2A: Panorama from Parliament Hill

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LVMF – Parliament Hill 2A

Parliament Hill is situated on Hampstead Heath and is fully accessible to the public. The hill forms part of an east/west ridge that offers panoramic views of London to the south. Three Assessment Points are identified in the draft LVMF1, although two (2A.1 and 2A.2) share the same position. Each point is the starting position for a Protected Vista towards Strategically Important Landmarks identified in the draft LVMF.

Viewing Location 2A

Assessment Point 2A.1:

• Assessment Point 2A.1 is orientated towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. This position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
• The Protected Vista from Assessment Point 2A.1 comprises a foreground Viewing Corridor that gently slopes from the prescribed viewing height of 98.1m AOD down to the centre of the Cathedral some 6.6km away and at a height of 52.1m AOD – approximately the base of the Cathedral drum. These threshold levels are equal to those described in the 2007 guidance.
• The viewing corridor at the centre of the Cathedral is 140m wide and encloses the main Cathedral dome and Western Towers, equal to that in the 2007 guidance.
• A left and right Lateral Assessment Area also forms the foreground of the Protected Vista, increasing the overall width of the vista to 300m at the centre of the Cathedral, 90m wider than the 2007 guidance. The 2007 guidance does not describe a right Lateral Assessment Area.
• A Background Assessment area continues at a height of 52.1m AOD from the centre of the Cathedral some 2.5km further south-east culminating in a width of approximately 413m at Bermondsey, the same length and height, but 124m wider, than the 2007 guidance.

Assessment Point 2A.2:

• Assessment Point 2A.2 is orientated towards The Palace of Westminster.
• The Protected Vista from this position towards Westminster is an additional vista that does not appear in the 2007 guidance.
• The Protected Vista from Assessment Point 2A.2 comprises a foreground Viewing Corridor that slopes from 98.1m AOD down to meet the Palace of Westminster at a height of 43.5m AOD over a distance of 7.1km.
• The Viewing Corridor where it meets the Palace is 300m wide and encloses the entire extents of the Palace and part of Westminster Abbey. No lateral Assessment Areas are described.
• The Background Assessment area continues at the height of 43.5m AOD from the Palace for a distance of 3.5km further south-east into Kennington culminating in a width of approximately 447m.
• The visual management guidance beyond the geometry described above that is presented in both the 2007 guidance and the draft 2009 guidance is generally consistent, with the exception of the additional constraints of the view from 2A.2 from the additional Protected Vista.

References

1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 40-48

2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 76-86

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2B: Panorama from Parliament Hill

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LVMF – Parliament Hill 2B

Parliament Hill is situated on Hampstead Heath and is fully accessible to the public. The hill forms part of an east/west ridge that offers panoramic views of London to the south. Three Assessment Points are identified in the draft LVMF1, although two (2A.1 and 2A.2) share the same position. Each point is the starting position for a Protected Vista towards Strategically Important Landmarks identified in the draft LVMF


Viewing Location 2B

Assessment Point 2B.1:

The third Assessment Point on Parliament Hill, 2B.1, lies south east of the summit, further down the ridge.


The Assessment Point is orientated towards the Palace of Westminster. The position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The Protected Vista comprises a foreground Viewing Corridor from the prescribed viewing height of 71.6m AOD sloping down approximately 7km to meet the Palace at a height of 51.3m AOD – some 7.8m higher than the 2007 guidance.
The Viewing Corridor at the Palace is 220m wide - 10m wider than the 2007 guidance - and includes the entire extents of the Palace. No lateral Assessment Areas are described and this is consistent with the 2007 guidance.
The Background Assessment area continues at the height of 51.3m AOD from the Palace for a distance of 3.5km further south-east into Kennington culminating in a width of approximately 447m. This Background Area is 11.3m higher than the threshold described in the 2007 guidance.

When describing View 2B.1 both sets of guidance describe that all three of the principal towers of the Palace of Westminster are visible although clearly tree growth obscures St. Stephens Tower in the images provided in both documents. Both sets of guidance do make it clear that tree growth can affect the viewing experience and should be managed, but it is unclear to what level that extends to the trees that clearly obscure St. Stephens Tower.

References

1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 40-48

2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 76-86
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23A1_Serpentine to Westminster

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LVMF – Serpentine Bridge 23
The Serpentine Bridge crosses the centre of the Serpentine in Hyde Park. One viewing location is described and contains a single assessment point on the eastern footway of the bridge. The Assessment Point is identified in the draft as 23A.1. The Assessment Point is the starting point for a Protected Vista towards The Palace of Westminster – this is an additional constraint now being applied to this view compared to the 2007 guidance.



Viewing Location 23A
Assessment Point 23A.1:
• Assessment Point 23A.1 is orientated towards The Palace of Westminster.
• The Protected Vista from this position towards Westminster is an additional vista that does not appear in the 2007 guidance. However the assessment point is identical to that in the 2007 guidance, which was not subject to geometric definition.
• The Protected Vista from Assessment Point 23A.1 comprises a foreground Viewing Corridor that slopes from 22.0 AOD up to meet the Palace of Westminster at a height of 48.5m AOD over a distance of 3.4km.
• The Viewing Corridor where it meets the Palace is 215m wide and encloses the southern half of the Palace and the entirety of Westminster Abbey. No lateral Assessment Areas are described.
• The Background Assessment area continues at the height of 48.5m AOD from the Palace up to 75.8m AOD for a distance of 3.5km further east into Elephant and Castle, culminating in a width of approximately 436m.
• The Visual management Guidance in the draft states that new development in the background of the view should be ‘subordinate’ to the World Heritage Site.

References
1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 198-202
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 209-211
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5A1_Greenwich

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LVMF – Greenwich Park 5
Greenwich Park is a Grade 1 registered park. The park lies east of Greenwich town centre and includes the Maritime Museum and Queen’s House in the northern lower levels adjacent to the River Thames. One viewing location at the General Wolfe statue atop the hill next to the Observatory contains two assessment points. The two Assessment Points are identified in the draft as 5A.1 and 5A.2. 5A.2 is the starting position for a Protected Vista towards Strategically Important Landmarks identified in the draft LVMF.



Viewing Location 5A

Assessment Point 5A.1:
Assessment is encouraged to be carried out from this point in priority over 5A.2 unless the proposals occur ‘in close proximity’ to the Protected Vista.
Assessment Point 5A.1 is orientated towards Greenwich Palace. The position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.

Assessment Point 5A.2:
Assessment Point 5A.2 is orientated towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. The position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The Protected Vista differs from all of the other vistas in the draft document in that the threshold plane in the foreground starts at a height much lower than the height of the viewing position. The reason for this is explained as ‘to protect the visual relationship’ between St. Paul’s’ Cathedral and Tower Bridge. This method is consistent with the method used in the 2007 guidance.
The Viewing Corridor at the centre of the Cathedral is 190m wide, 75m wider than the 2007 guidance and encloses the Dome and Western Towers, as well as both towers of Tower Bridge.
The Left Lateral Assessment Area has been widened from 25m in 2007 to 65m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Right Lateral Assessment Area has been narrowed from 70m in 2007 to 65m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Background Assessment Area has been widened from approximately 303m to approximately 434m.
The threshold height levels around Tower Bridge have been raised from 50m AOD in the 2007 guidance to 51.3m AOD in the 2009 draft. The remaining threshold levels remain the same.

References
1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 62-66
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 103-111
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1A1_Alexandra Palace

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LVMF – Alexandra Palace 1
Alexandra Palace sits on the rising ground of Muswell Hill within public parkland. The foreground, middle ground and background are distinctively separated by vegetated ridges. Two Assessment Points, 1A.1 and 1A.2 are identified in the draft LVMF. Assessment Point 1A.2 is the starting point for a Protected Vista towards St. Paul’s Cathedral.


Viewing Location 1A
Assessment Point 1A.1:
Assessment Point 1A.1 is orientated towards the City with St. Paul’s visible, although partially obscured by foliage. This position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The view from 1A.1 does not form a Protected Vista, consistent with the 2007 guidance.
Assessment Point 1A.2:
Assessment Point 1A.2 is orientated towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. This position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The Viewing Corridor from this position towards St. Paul’s has been widened from 70 metres in the 2007 guidance to 140 metres at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Left Lateral Assessment Area has been widened from 70m in 2007 to 110m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Right Lateral Assessment Area has been narrowed from 70m in 2007 to 50m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Background Assessment Area has been widened from approximately 267m to approximately 381m.
The threshold height levels remain consistent between the 2007 and draft 2009 guidance.

References
1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 34-38
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 69-75
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6A1_Black Heath

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LVMF – Blackheath 6
Blackheath Point is a public garden at the west of the heath, surrounded by residential development. One viewing location in the gardens contains one assessment point. The Assessment Point is identified in the draft as 6A.1 and is the starting position for a Protected Vista towards Strategically Important Landmarks identified in the draft LVMF.



Viewing Location 6A

Assessment Point 6A.1:
Assessment Point 6A.1 is orientated towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. The position has been moved approximately 8m south-west of the position described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The Viewing Corridor at the centre of the Cathedral is 125m wide, 5m wider than the 2007 guidance and encloses the Dome and Western Towers.
The Left Lateral Assessment Area has been widened from 20m in 2007 to 65m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Right Lateral Assessment Area has been widened from 70m in 2007 to 110m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Background Assessment Area has been widened from approximately 307m to approximately 415m.
The threshold height levels remain broadly the same as the 2007 guidance. Minor elevation changes have been made presumably to allow for the shift in the assessment points position.

References
1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 68-72
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 112-117
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3A1_Kenwood

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LVMF – Kenwood 3
Kenwood House is in North London, bordering Hampstead Heath. There is one viewing location at Kenwood, situated at the viewing gazebo. There is one Assessment Point at the viewing location, point 3A.1. This assessment point forms the start of a Protected Vista.


Viewing Location 3A
Assessment Point 3A.1:
Assessment Point 3A.1 is orientated towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. The position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The Viewing Corridor at the centre of the Cathedral is 140m wide and encloses the main Cathedral dome and Western Towers, equal to that in the 2007 guidance. Minor changes have been made to the coordinates of the Viewing Corridor at the dome. These changes are not significant.
The Left Lateral Assessment Area has been widened from 70m in 2007 to 110m in 2009 at the dome of St. Paul’s.
An additional Right Lateral Assessment Area has been added to the Protected Vista at a width of 50m at the dome of St. Paul’s.
The Background Assessment Area has been widened from approximately 276m to approximately 394m.
The threshold height levels remain consistent between the 2007 and draft 2009 guidance.

References
1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 50-54
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 87-93


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8A1_Westminster Pier

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LVMF – Westminster Pier 8
Westminster Pier is north of Westminster Bridge on the Victoria Embankment. One viewing location at the wall above the pier contains one assessment point. The Assessment Point is identified in the draft as 8A.1 and is the starting position for a Protected Vista towards Strategically Important Landmarks identified in the draft LVMF.



Viewing Location 8A

Assessment Point 8A.1:
Assessment Point 8A.1 is orientated towards St. Paul’s Cathedral. The position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
The Viewing Corridor at the centre of the Cathedral is 80m wide, 10m wider than the 2007 guidance and encloses the Dome and Western Towers.
There are no left and right Lateral Assessment Areas, consistent with the 2007 guidance.
The Background Assessment Area has been widened from approximately 181m to approximately 207m.
The threshold height levels remain the same as the 2007 guidance.

References
1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 80-84
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 121-125
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25A1_City Hall

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LVMF – Queen’s Walk to Tower of London (City Hall) 25
The Queen’s Walk is on the south bank adjacent to City Hall. One viewing location is described and contains three assessment points each on the public footway adjacent to the river wall. The Assessment Points are identified in the draft as 25A.1, 25A.2 and 25A.3. A Protected Vista is defined from 25A.1 to and beyond the Tower of London World Heritage Site and a Protected Silhouette of the World Heritage Site is defined from each of the Assessment Points.



Viewing Location 25A
Assessment Point 25A.1:
• Assessment Point 25A.1 is orientated towards the Tower of London World Heritage site. The position is identical to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
• The Protected Vista from Assessment Point 25A.1 comprises a foreground Viewing Corridor at 6.1m AOD to the low wall that encloses the front of the Tower over a distance of 400m.
• The Viewing Corridor where it meets the Tower is 90m wide – the same as the 2007 guidance.
• The Background Assessment area starts at the height of 25.7m AOD from the Tower up to 164.6m AOD for a distance of 2.5km further north into Bethnal Green, culminating in a width of approximately 727m – the same as in the 2007 guidance. A minor elevation change has been made to the AOD height at the end of the BAA which is of little consequence.

Assessment Point 25A.2:
• Assessment Point 25A.1 is orientated towards the Tower. The position has been moved approximately 66m north-east to that described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.

Assessment Point 25A.3:
• Assessment Point 25A.3 is orientated towards the Tower. The position is an additional position to those described in the current LVMF guidance published in 2007.
• The Assessment Point is located approximately 137m south-east of 25A.1.

References
1. Draft revised Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework May 2009 – Pages 210-216
2. Supplementary Planning Guidance – London View Management Framework – July 2007 – Page 217-227
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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: 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: Linear View: King Henry VIII’s Mound, Richmond to St Paul’s Cathedral 9A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
176 A Protected Vista has been defined between the Assessment Point and St Paul’s Cathedral. Development that exceeds the threshold plane of the Landmark Viewing Corridor should be refused. Development near the Protected Vista should not compromise the viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate the Cathedral. It should not dominate the landmark, or cause a canyon effect. Landmark Lateral Assessment Areas are included as part of the Protected Vista to strengthen foreground and middle ground management of the view.

Background
177 Atmospheric conditions have a considerable effect on the visibility of the landmark due to the length of the view. It is essential that development in the background of the view is subordinate to the Cathedral and that the clear sky background profile of the dome remains.


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Extract from LVMF: Linear View: Westminster Pier to St Paul’s Cathedral 8A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
169 The clear view of the Cathedral should not be obscured by tree growth in either the foreground or middle ground.

170 A Landmark Viewing Corridor will maintain the existing visual frame around the Cathedral created by the middle-ground buildings.

Background
171 The dome and peristyle of St Paul’s Cathedral should remain with a clear sky backdrop.


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Extract from LVMF: London Panorama: Blackheath Point 6A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
155 The panorama is sensitive to large-scale development in the foreground and middle ground. There is considerable opportunity, however, to introduce new development if it is sympathetic to the composition and character of the view.

156 The western towers of St Paul’s Cathedral are integral to the viewer’s ability to recognise and appreciate the landmark. Therefore, the Landmark Viewing Corridor of the Protected Vista from Assessment Point 6A.1 incorporates these features.

Background
157 Development in the background may be acceptable if it is sensitive to the dome and isn’t taller than the level of the peristyle of St Paul’s Cathedral. The effect of colour, scale, reflectivity and distance from the landmark of new development should be understood and tested.


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Extract from LVMF: London Panorama: Greenwich Park 5A.1 and 5A.2

Foreground and Middle Ground
144 Development on the river edge at Deptford should help to reinforce the composition of the existing view

145 The relationship between Tower Bridge, the Monument to the Great Fire and St Paul’s Cathedral are important elements of the view. Development should preserve and enhance this visual relationship when seen from the Assessment Points.

146 Views of St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge are paramount townscape features in the view. A Protected Vista between Assessment Point 5A.2 and St Paul’s Cathedral recognises the requirement to protect the visual relationship between these two landmarks.

Background
147 The composition of the view would benefit from further, incremental consolidation of the cluster of taller buildings at Docklands and the City of London.

148 The dome and peristyle of the cathedral are seen against clear sky in this view.The current level of definition should remain and where possible be enhanced.

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Extract from LVMF: London Panorama: Primrose Hill 4A.1 and 4A.2

Foreground and Middle Ground
132 It is an important characteristic of the view that the dome and western towers are recognisable in the panorama. Therefore, a Protected Vista with a Landmark Viewing Corridor incorporating the western towers and dome has been designated. Over time it is expected that the buildings that infringe the Landmark Viewing Corridor and block parts of St Paul’s Cathedral, will be removed.

133 The Palace of Westminster should, over time, be made more visible in the landscape. Development between the Assessment Point and the Palace of Westminster will be subject to greater constraints through a Protected Vista.

Background
134 St Paul’s Cathedral is recognisable in this view largely because it is seen clearly against the sky and it is not dominated by development in its backdrop. Development proposals should not compromise this situation.

135 Development in the background of the Palace of Westminster should not compromise the viewer’s ability to clearly see the features of the towers against the sky. The form and materials of new development should help improve the clarity with which the silhouette of the towers of the Palace of Westminster can be distinguished from their surroundings. Consideration should also be given to the Westminster World Heritage Site Management Plan when assessing the impact of development that will be visible in the setting of this view of the World Heritage Site.


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Extract from LVMF: London Panorama: Kenwood 3A.1

Foreground and Middle Ground
120 The Protected Vista includes a Landmark Viewing Corridor to the dome and western towers of the Cathedral. Development in the line of sight would compromise the viewer’s ability to recognise the landmark, and should not be supported. The Protected Vista reinforces this requirement.

121 The view is particularly sensitive to development breaching the tree line in the middle ground, as it would inhibit views of the panorama.

Background
122 Development behind St Paul’s Cathedral that breaches the Landmark Background Assessment Area should contribute to a composition that enhances the setting of the landmark. Special regard should be paid to the height, orientation, design and materials used in the development. Careful use of form and materials could enable development proposals to improve the clarity with which the silhouette of the Cathedral is distinguished from its surroundings, including the hills in south London.

123 It is important that St Stephen’s Tower of the Palace of Westminster remains visible and dominant in its setting.


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