The Planning and Transportation Committee discussed the City Corporation's response to the draft London Plan and a stopping-up application for highway land related to the Thavies Inn House redevelopment. The committee approved the City Corporation's consultation response to the draft London Plan and agreed that the Comptroller and City Solicitor's Department could proceed with making and giving notice of the stopping-up order for Thavies Inn House.

City Corporation Response to the 2026 Draft London Plan Consultation

The committee discussed the City Corporation's formal response to the Greater London Authority's (GLA) draft London Plan. The response, which was approved for submission, outlines targeted amendments and seeks stronger recognition of the Square Mile's international economic role and growth potential. Key concerns raised include underestimated office floorspace needs, insufficient recognition of tall building capacity in the City, an over-inflated housing target, and unclear approaches to energy use, carbon reduction, biodiversity, transport, and infrastructure delivery. The response also highlights significant concerns regarding the methodology used for calculating employment growth and office floorspace requirements, suggesting that the GLA's figures may be inaccurate and could constrain investment and development. The committee noted that the final adoption of the City Plan is anticipated in early December, following approval by other committees.

Stopping Up Application - Thavies Inn House, Holborn Circus

The committee considered an application to stop up areas of public highway surrounding Thavies Inn House, located at Holborn Circus and bounded by St. Andrew Street, New Fetter Lane, and Thavies Inn. This application is necessary to facilitate the approved redevelopment of the site, which was granted planning permission on 1 July 2022.

During the statutory consultation period, two objections were received. One internal objection from the City Corporation's Highways Authority was subsequently withdrawn after concerns were addressed regarding the provision of a new permissive path and a pocket park. However, an objection from a member of the public remained unresolved. The objector raised concerns about the extent of the highway proposed to be stopped up, the replacement highway provision, the permissive path arrangements, and the removal of trees previously subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).

Officers presented an assessment concluding that the stopping-up is necessary to enable the approved development to proceed. They noted that the majority of the land proposed to be stopped up will be incorporated into the new building, with a portion becoming a permissive path. The scheme will provide replacement highway areas, including a publicly accessible pocket park, resulting in no net loss of highway. The committee was informed that the removal of the TPO-protected trees was considered and approved during the planning application process, and that the development is required to plant 23 new trees to compensate for their loss.

Despite the unresolved public objection, officers advised that the objection did not demonstrate how the objector would be directly affected by the stopping-up order. Therefore, it was not considered necessary to refer the objection to the Mayor of London. The committee was asked to agree that the Comptroller and City Solicitor's Department could proceed to make and give notice of the stopping-up order.

The committee approved the officer's recommendation, agreeing that the stopping-up order could proceed. This decision allows the development to move forward as planned.