Residents' fury over plans to demolish former Museum of London: Michael Gove ... trends now
Michael Gove has hit pause on plans to demolish the former Museum of London and Barbican House to replace them with a flashy new office complex after the proposals were green-lit by local councillors earlier today.
The secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities has issued a 'holding directive' on London Wall West even after the City of London Corporation's planning sub-committee approved it despite over 800 objections from locals.
Museum bosses closed the doors of the Barbican site in 2022 in order to facilitate a relocation to Smithfield General Market - clearing the way for a dramatic redevelopment of the site even as residents voiced their opposition.
But Mr Gove's move temporarily puts a halt on the proposals despite councillors signing them off on Wednesday. The Article 31 direction 'directs (the council) not to grant permission without specific authorisation'.
Sixteen councillors voted in support of the plans - which were submitted on behalf of the City of London Corporation itself - while eight voted against them, with one abstention.
The contentious new plans for the Museum of London redevelopment at Barbican, which have been green-lit
The Corporation is behind the plans - and its own planning committee signed them off, though several councillors either voted against them or abstained
Communities secretary Michael Gove, who has intervened to consider whether the Museum of London plans should be considered by him before allowing them to proceed
The Museum of London closed in 2022 to facilitate a move to a new base at Smithfields General Market and allow redevelopment to proceed
Bastion House (above) will also go in the plans - if Mr Gove does not put his foot down and refuse the Corporation's permit
But campaigners called for the site to be retained and redeveloped rather than being demolished altogether (pictured: impressions of the new site)
Campaigners have welcomed Mr Gove's move, as they called for the City to rethink its plans to demolish the 1970s fixture.
The Corporation has previously been forced to scale back the plans following furious public consultation, with the building's size reduced following concerns from locals about its imposing scale.
Barbican Quarter Action, a group calling for the building to be saved, said after the plans were approved by the Corporation: 'We are obviously disappointed by the committee's decision, but not surprised.
'Gove will now either call in the application for determination or allow the City of London to issue its planning permission.
'We hope the secretary of
