High Court Approves Controversial South Bank Office Redevelopment

The £400m project, dubbed 'The Slab,' will replace ITV's former headquarters despite criticism over its impact on London's modern heritage and environment.

• The High Court upheld former housing secretary Michael Gove's approval of the 25-storey office block, dismissing a legal challenge by the Save Our South Bank campaign group.
• The redevelopment will transform the former ITV Studios site into offices, retail spaces, and arts and culture facilities, alongside cafes and restaurants facing the Thames.
• Critics argue the project neglects housing needs for the mixed-use site, will generate significant carbon emissions, and will overshadow nearby landmarks like the National Theatre and Somerset House.
• Michael Gove approved the project earlier this year despite expressing concerns about its aesthetic and potential harm to the South Bank's character.
• Campaigners, including Save Our South Bank and the Twentieth Century Society, are considering further legal action, calling the decision a failure of planning protections.

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