Impression of the proposed 13-storey office block, with Westminster Abbey a little way down the road

AN application to build a 13-storey office block a stone’s throw from Westminster Abbey has been approved.

The major development will see two existing buildings demolished and replaced with large mixed-use office and retail space.

Two post-war office blocks, located at 10 Victoria Street, will be knocked down so that the project can go ahead.

Part of the development area occupies the site of a medieval almshouse, founded in around 1500, which was directly connected to Westminster Abbey.

Historic England has advised that there may still be archaeological remains at the site which, if well preserved, could be of “national importance”.

The applicants, Healey Development, have been advised to carry out an investigation and protect any historical artefacts identified.

Councillors at a Westminster City Council planning sub-committee narrowly approved the application at a meeting on October 13.

Labour’s Nafsika Butler-Thalassis

All Conservative members on the sub-committee voted in favour of the development, while both Labour members voted against the application.

A report by council officers to the sub-committee said that the development would cause “less than substantial harm” to the setting of neighbouring Grade I Great Cloisters.

Westminster Abbey officially submitted a letter of support for the planning application.

Labour councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis said that she was not satisfied the applicants had done everything they could to explore retrofitting the existing buildings, instead of demolishing them.

She said that she found the application “really disappointing and effectively lazy”.

The scheme is expected to offer a 716 square-metre commercial space for shops, restaurants and cafés on the ground floor and also to add urban “greening” and 347 long-stay cycle spaces.

Healey Development would be required to make a carbon offset payment to the city council of nearly £1million, as well as a payment of more than £700,000 towards local employment and skills.

Guy Bransbry, speaking on behalf of the applicants, said: “The proposals will transform a currently neglected part of Victoria Street.

“A ground-floor, new active commercial uses, and landscaping, will create an attractive, welcoming streetscape, increasing activity and natural surveillance and improving the experience of all using it.

“The scheme will support 1,200 jobs in the offices.”