Bishopsgate developer after more architects

The developer behind the Bishopsgate Goodsyard scheme has said it will be hiring new architects to design the remaining residential towers at the east London site.

PLP is behind towers at three plots – known as C, F and G – which are 30 and 26 storeys for C and 46 and 38 for F and G respectively.

Two other plots are also earmarked for residential and are expected to come in at 24 and 17 storeys for plot D while the remaining site, plot E, will be 16 storeys stepping down to nine.

Asked if the Hammerson-Ballymore joint venture would be using PLP for the remaining sites, Hammerson development manager Tony Coughlan said: “Probably not. We like the idea that we have a wide range of architects working at the site.”

Other practices working at the scheme include Buckley Gray Yeoman, which was appointed to work on the offices last year, while Chris Dyson Architects is responsible for the historic properties. Faulkner Browns Architects has been appointed to the scheme’s retail element and Spacehub is lined up for a park.

A new consultation on the scheme began last week after the developer made a number of changes following high-profile criticism of the development.

The changes, which include lowering the heights of the two tallest towers, have seen the number of resi units trimmed by just over 100 to 1,356.

But Coughlan said it would not be lowering the heights any more – despite objections from the More Light, More Power campaign which said the two tallest towers were still too high.

“We’re not in a position to drop any more,” he added. “It will impact on the benefits we can provide. Reducing income from residential means the rest of the site might be unviable.”

More Light, More Power spokesman David Donoghue said: “The revised scheme does not adequately address the appalling effect of looming towers being imposed on a thriving low-rise community of businesses and residents. The developers have made minimal adjustments only.”

The developer is hoping work can start towards the end of next year with the entire scheme expected to take 15 years to build out.

A decision by planning authorities Tower Hamlets and Hackney is due this autumn. Coughlan said: “We are confident we can get a successful planning decision. We have listened to the concerns and we believe we have got the right mix.”