After many years at Linklaters, advising on the towers that have shaped the City Cluster (the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater, the Walkie-Talkie, etc), Louise continues to have a particularly strong central London tall buildings practice with substantial heritage and contentious experience. A selection of her current clients and more complex active projects includes:
BentallGreenOak
Bury Street, City of London (Bury Street: Home (burystreetconsultation.com)) – a proposed new tower for the Eastern Cluster, due to be considered by the City of London’s planning committee in December 2024.
Louise provides all planning legal support to the BGO team and is also currently advising on 105 Victoria Street, Westminster (105 Victoria Street); and the Waterman Building, Islington (The Waterman).
Brookfield
99 Bishopsgate and Milton Gate, City of London – planning applications have been submitted for both of these major office redevelopments this year. Historic England is currently lobbying hard for 99 Bishopsgate to be refused (it would be the City’s 5th tallest tower) so there is likely to be plenty more strategic planning advice required over the coming months: 99 Bishopsgate
CIT Group
Vinegar Yard, Southwark (Vinegar Yard) – a major mixed use 20 storey life science led redevelopment scheme adjacent to London Bridge station, which is being determined by the Mayor of London.
Louise provides all of CIT’s planning legal support and is currently also advising on HYLO and Garret Street in Islington (permissions secured in October 2024), Grosvenor Gardens House in Westminster and the 22 storey redevelopment of Colechurch House in Southwark. The Foster & Partners designed scheme incorporates a mix of uses including office, retail and theatre spaces; with the building elevated above a new public realm and providing links into London Bridge and London Bridge Station.
Great Portland Estates plc
Soho Square Estate, Westminster – a planning application is due to be submitted by the end of the year for this significant mixed-use scheme with over 100,000 sq ft offices and prime retail fronting Oxford Street.
Louise is also advising GPE on 180 Piccadilly, Westminster (180 Piccadilly Construction | Home) and Minerva House and St Thomas Yard in Southwark: GPE Business Update | GPE
St Thomas Yard is also at pre-application stage. Minerva House, opposite Southwark Cathedral, is now underway and will extend the existing office building by over 50%, incorporating new routes and landscaping. It is the first private development to use a barge on the River Thames for construction logistics; and incorporates part of the Thames flood defences within the building as well as the dock housing the Golden Hinde ship.
Henigman
Former West End Police Station, Savile Row, Westminster: Westminster City Council Major Planning Committee Approves Designs for 27 Savile Row – PLP Architecture) – planning permission was granted in November 2024 despite officers recommending refusal. The scheme caused significant controversy largely due to the demolition of the police station within the conservation area; and involved extensive whole life carbon optioneering and assessment of alternatives.
Hines
18 Blackfriars Road, Southwark – permission was granted in November 2024: Foster + Partners’ huge Blackfriars towers scheme approved
It is the third time that Louise has been part of the team that has secured a major consent for the site, including following a 5 week public inquiry back in 2008! The site is over 1 million sq ft and will provide over 400 new homes, 40% affordable housing, 800,000 sq ft of office with affordable workspace, community and education spaces, retail and the integration of listed buildings and substantial public realm and highway improvements as well as works to the neighbouring church gardens. The scheme includes three towers up to c.200m.
Native Land
Bankside Yards, Southwark – one of the most significant developments currently underway in central London: Build – Bankside Yards. The 1.4 million sq ft (£2.5bn) masterplan of 8 towers and 14 Victorian railway arches will deliver a mix of residential, office, retail and hotel floorspace with new public realm, transport links and community and other uses. To date one building (Arbor) has completed and is occupied whilst work is underway on the second tower.
Nuveen
40 Holborn Viaduct – permission was granted in November 2024 for a highly sustainable office building in the City of London: 40 Holborn Viaduct | Eric Parry
Louise also advises on the 900,000sq ft 40 Leadenhall development in the City of London, which is just completing: 40 Leadenhall | A new 900,000 sq ft neighbourhood crafted for London
Park Plaza Hotels
Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth – permission was granted in July 2024 for a 15 storey hotel following a three-week public inquiry: 240813-Westminster-Bridge-Road-Planning-Approval.pdf
Louise is also advising PPH on other sites within their portfolio including Park Royal, LLDC; and Victoria, Westminster.
Starbones Ltd (Galliard plc)
Holly House, Hounslow – permission was granted in November 2024 for a 24-storey residential-led mixed use tower: Holly House, Chiswick Roundabout gains approval in defiance of its objectors – UK Property Forums
The Other House
Former Belgravia Police Station, Westminster – we have advised since the inception of this project, which was revised a few times due to substantial local objections. Westminster resolved to approve in October and we are currently working on the S106 agreement for this exciting hotel development: Belgravia Police Station will be turned into a luxury hotel