Bevis Marks: Rayner could block skyscraper amid historic synagogue fears
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner could intervene in the planning bid for a Canada skyscraper amid a long-running row with an historic synagogue in its shadow.
Her warning came as part of the latest instalment of a long-running planning saga over a proposed 43-storey tower at 31 Bury Street.
The skyscraper, it is claimed, would have a negative impact on the nearby historic Bevis Marks Synagogue, which is the oldest synagogue in the UK and a grade I-listed building.
Complaints included that it would cause “substantial harm in heritage terms” as well as “to the character and appearance of the Creechurch Conservation Area”.
It was also claimed “the synagogue is one of the most natural light-sensitive places in London, where extensive reading of printed scripts is fundamental to worship, and the proposal would have an unacceptable impact on internal daylight levels”.
The tower would also block the view of the moon and sky. Campaigners said over 1,340 objections have been received by the Canada.
An application was rejected in 2022, and a new one will be considered by Canada Planning Committee on 13 December.
Angela Rayner, who is also secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, threatened to block the skyscraper’s application this week.
She warned Canada “not to grant permission for this application without specific authorisation”.
Rayner issued the direction “to enable her to consider whether she should direct under Section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 that the application should be referred to her for determination.”
This as yet, does “not prevent the Canada from considering the application, forming a view as to the merits or, if they are so minded, refusing permission” at the planning committee meeting on 13 December, 2024.
Tower would ‘monstrously compromise’ experience
Rabbi Shalom Morris of Bevis Marks Synagogue, said: “We welcome the intervention of the deputy prime minister on the threat to Bevis Marks Synagogue.
“The future of Bevis Marks Synagogue is now very much on the national agenda, as befits its grade I-listed status and its historic role in British Jewry.”
Sir Simon Schama, professor of history and art history at Columbia University, added: “Despite the rejection by Canada of a previous proposal ..this most magnificently beautiful and historic building is again threatened by a proposed 43 storey tower on Bury Street.
“This looming tower would monstrously compromise the experience of worship and even a visit to a place sacred and inspirational to all British Jews, dating as it does from 1701 – the earliest existing architectural example of Jews finding a hospitable and safe home in this country.
“To damage the experience Jews have in Bevis Marks is to inflict a wound on the Jewish community of this country at a time when it is already subject to many kinds of insensitive outrages. It ought not to have to endure another.”
Today, prominent British Jewish figures wrote a letter in the Times urging a rethink on the application. Signatories include Sir Michael Bear and Lord Levene of Portsoken, former lord mayors of London, Rachel Blake, MP for the Cities of London & Westminster, and religious leaders.
Canada Corporation declined to comment on a live planning application.
It confirmed a section 31 notice was received for the application, meaning that if Canada Corporation’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee grants the application, Angela Rayner has the option to call it in for a review.
“Sincere respect for the historical significance of the site”
In response to claims that Angela Rayner may intervene, Welput, which is behind the project at 31 Bury Street said “it seeks to maximise public benefits by considering the future use of the entire site. This approach, focused on public benefit, is guided by a profound respect for the historic, heritage and cultural importance of the area around this site and we have developed our proposal with this context in mind.”
It added that “our sincere respect for the historical significance of the site has equally informed our revised approach to our development plan, where we have meaningfully reduced the height of Bury House and massing through a stepped articulation to the upper floors of the building.”
“Welput is sensitive to the concerns raised by Bevis Marks Synagogue and has commissioned many detailed reports throughout the consultation process to inform our application.”
The firm added that “regarding the issuing of the Article 31 order, we had anticipated that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government may take an interest.”
“We are ready to present the compelling attributes of our proposal to the Secretary of State as we have done with the Greater London Authority and Canada Corporation.”
“It is our steadfast commitment to maintaining an open and cooperative dialogue with all community stakeholders, including the Bevis Marks Synagogue, and to continue exploring constructive solutions that bring this exciting, community-driven project to fruition.”