Long odds placed on government protecting complex blocking £340m British Land development

Roll up, roll up … and place your bets on whether Broadgate Square in London will be listed.

William Hill has opened a book on a building listing for the first time, giving 4-7 that culture secretary Jeremy Hunt will not save the eighties-built complex.

Hanging in the balance is a £340m British Land development for banking giants UBS in the prime City location.

In its way is the eighties Peter Foggo-designed Broadgate Circus, which last week was recommended for grade II* protection by English Heritage.

William Hill has placed long odds on Hunt deciding to list the buildings, even though it would be highly unusual for a minister to reject an English Heritage recommendation.

The listing dilemma has provoked anger in the City, with industry figures questioning whether the City can afford to lose up to 12,000 jobs, as the listing would impose significant restrictions on British Land.

Topics