Related pages:
Map of Tower of London and Westminster Views
ICOMOS-UK Flickr photographic website

View of Tower of London from Tower Bridge, photo: Gavin Kingcome/ICOMOS-UK

Over the last decade, London’s skyline has been irrevocably changed by new buildings cropping up across many of London’s historic skylines. In 2006, the ICOMOS-UK Cultural Landscape and Historic Gardens Committee realised that some of London’s most evocative views are in danger of being lost forever due to the number and nature of skyscrapers being built and planned. In particular, there was concern that the insensitive siting of these tall buildings would impact negatively on two of London’s World Heritage sites: the Tower of London and Westminster.

A project was initiated in mid-2007 to make a photographic record of the appearance of these World Heritage sites. The project was under the direction of committee member and landscape architect, Hal Moggridge, who commissioned the landscape photographer Gavin Kingcome to take the photographs. Fifty-nine images in total were taken of both World Heritage sites.

View to Westminster, from Parliament St, photo: Gavin Kingcome/ICOMOS-UK

One purpose of the project is to make this record available for public use and scrutiny. Another intention is to draw attention to the present beauty of London’s World Heritage skylines. These do not include St Paul’s cathedral dome, however, which has also long been valued as a symbol of London’s excellence.

A selection of these images have been made available and geo-referenced via the online photo-sharing community flickr.com.

View Tower of London Set | Tower of London Map showing view-points
View Westminster Set | Westminster Map showing view-points

In May 2008, the new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, appointed a new Senior Adviser on Housing and Planning, Sir Simon Milton, who had been a strong critic of the building of skyscrapers in the heart of London. In the Financial Times article on the appointment, Sir Simon was quoted as saying:

“This fetish for tall buildings anywhere and everywhere will be a disaster for London”

The appointment is likely to end the building of skyscrapers in areas outside the City and Canary Wharf, for now.