"Walkie Talkie" Gets Green Light

Linklaters planning team has won government consent for the hugely controversial ‘Walkie Talkie,’ 177m tower development at 20 Fenchurch Street, London.

The secretary of state for communities and local government, Hazel Blears, granted permission for property giant Land Securities to build the tower this, after the application was called in for review in March this year.

Linklaters has advised Land Securities throughout the planning process on its strategy and tactics for obtaining planning consent, overcoming objections by heritage bodies that the skyscraper would restrict natural light and obscure views of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, the 39-storey tower will incorporate approximately 94,000 square metres of office space, as well as shops, a café and a publicly accessible Sky Garden on the 35th floor. The Sky Garden will be the highest public park in London, and offer visitors an outside roof terrace, restaurant and a 360 degree panorama of London.