A recent legal challenge against the demolition of the former Museum of London and adjacent structures has been dismissed by a High Court judge.
The Barbican Quarter Organisation (BQO), a campaign group, initiated a judicial review arguing that the City of London Corporation did not adequately consider alternative development options before approving the demolition project. However, Mr. Justice Fordham ruled against the challenge on Thursday.
In his ruling, Justice Fordham stated that the Corporation’s policy did not include „a presumption or expectation against demolition,“ and there was no obligation to investigate other development proposals further.
A spokesperson for BQO expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, while the City of London Corporation welcomed the ruling.
The approved redevelopment plan involves the demolition of the former Museum of London and the nearby Bastion House, a 1970s office building, to make way for three new office buildings ranging from five to 17 stories in height.
This regeneration initiative has faced significant opposition, with over 800 objections submitted, many of which question the sustainability claims associated with the project.
BQO’s legal representatives argued that the Corporation did not comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations concerning impartiality and objectivity. They contended that the Corporation misunderstood or failed to apply relevant policies, presuming that existing buildings would be reused instead of demolished, and neglected to consider alternatives to demolition. All three claims were ultimately dismissed by the court.
While Justice Fordham acknowledged a breach of statutory duty due to the Corporation’s failure to make pre-application documents accessible, he noted that this did not significantly impact the decision-making process, thus rendering the outcome lawful.
The City of London Corporation had initially granted indicative approval for the project in April 2024, with formal approval following in December of the same year. The Corporation asserts that the redevelopment will create „a greener and more welcoming environment“ in central London, providing high-quality office space and the potential for thousands of new jobs.
A BQO spokesperson stated that although the ruling was not what they had hoped for, they felt it was essential and justified to voice their concerns regarding the project.
The Museum of London, which opened in 1976 at the Barbican, is set to relocate to Smithfield Market, transforming the historic site in central London into its new headquarters.
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- Barbican
- Urban planning
- London regeneration
