London Bridge Tower
The Shard of Glass
Designed by Renzo Piano and developed by the Seller Property Group, the Shard will provide a major landmark for the whole of London.
Southwark Council has been a major supporter of the tower, having granted planning permission in March 2002. However in July 2002, the deputy prime minister called in the planning application so that a public inquiry could consider the issues involved. Full permission was finally granted in September 2003.
At the inquiry, which took place between April 15 and May 9 2003, Southwark officers argued that the London Bridge Tower is a building of exceptional quality, conforms with our planning policies, does not harm the strategic views across London and in fact potentially enhances them, and will have a transforming effect on London Bridge Station and the regeneration of the area.
Construction works commenced on site in March 2009 to build the Shard of Glass, and works are due to complete in May 2012 in time for the London Olympic games.
The council has appointed a dedicated development team to work closely with the developer and construction managers to ensure that the Shard is constructed in time for 2012, whilst ensuring that the construction works on the tallest building in the UK do not cause undue disruption for local business and residents.
