A survey has indicated that Londoners support restrictions on new tall buildings in their city.
The poll by market research firm Ipsos Mori of 500 London residents found that a majority (49%) who live in inner London boroughs think that the amount of tall buildings planned, proposed, or under construction in London – given as 270 at the time of the research – is too many.
42% of inner London respondents said the number was “about right”.
Data analysed since the survey finished shows that more than 400 new tall buildings are planned, proposed or under construction, Ipsos Mori said.
Attitudes to building height softened in London’s outer boroughs, where 34% of respondents said there were too many tall buildings in the pipeline, as opposed to 50% of respondents who said the number was “about right”.
Most residents think tall buildings should only be built in areas such as the capital’s financial district, the City of London, and Canary Wharf.
Image via Ipsos MORI
Just 8% say purpose-built high-rise blocks of 20 storeys or more are what’s needed, although this is slightly higher among inner London residents (11%).
People in inner London are most cynical about who benefits from tall developments, with 60% saying they are mainly for wealthy foreigners, with 46% of outer London residents saying the same.
73% of Londoners agree they should be consulted more on proposals for new buildings, and 27% say they would be less likely to vote for a political candidate who supports a new tall building development in their area.
Londoners are unconvinced about the role of tall buildings in meeting housing needs; 24% believe terraced houses and 21% believe low-rise purpose built flats are thought to be the most suitable buildings to meet the needs of Londoners.
Image via Ipsos MORI
Ben Page, Ipsos MORI chief executive said: “This and other recent surveys show a clear desire for more control on the height of new buildings in London, and a concern that new towers are mostly for wealthy foreigners, and do not provide affordable housing.”
The survey was commissioned by the Skyline Campaign a group that opposes tall buildings in the capital.
Top image: The City of London skyline (Colin and Kim Hansen/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0)
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