The Planning Applications Sub-Committee for the City of London Corporation met on 8 July 2025 to discuss several planning applications, including major developments at 63 St Mary Axe and 85 Gracechurch Street. The committee was also scheduled to review minutes from a previous meeting and consider valid planning applications and delegated decisions made by the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director.

63 St Mary Axe

A report regarding the planning application for 63 St Mary Axe was included in the agenda.

The presentation pack provided to the committee included details of the:

• site context and existing building
• consultation process
• sustainability considerations
• proposed development plans
• environmental impacts
• cultural offer
• facade design and materials
• urban greening and public realm enhancements
• verified views and video simulations

The documentation indicated that there had been extensive public consultation workshops, divided into cultural engagement and co-design programmes. The cultural engagement phase included events such as reportage drawing, creating a communal artwork, co-creating shadow puppets, an artist-in-residence, a live scribe lunch, school sessions, and a workshop for over 50s. The co-design programme focused on food and beverage, culture, business incubation, and greening.

The proposed development aimed to incorporate carbon reduction measures and sustainability benefits. The plans included workspace, a communal terrace, and plant areas. Servicing arrangements and accessible car parking spaces were detailed, along with public realm improvements.

The presentation also covered potential environmental impacts, including wind tunnel test results, daylight and sunlight analysis, and overshadowing studies. The cultural offer included a multi-function space that could be used as an auditorium or gallery.

The facade design incorporated textured aggregate, shading, operable windows, insulation, and perforated screens. The design aimed to integrate the building with its surroundings, including the churchyard of St Augustine Papey.

85 Gracechurch Street

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding 85 Gracechurch Street. The presentation pack included details of the:

• heritage context
• site photographs
• existing and demolition plans
• proposed elevations and sections
• architectural detailing
• facade design
• external lighting
• proposed plans for basement and ground floors
• upper floors
• environmental impacts
• sustainability measures
• servicing plan
• cycle parking

The presentation pack also considered the heritage context, including conservation areas, listed buildings, archaeological finds, and the Spread Eagle Inn.

The proposed development aimed to utilise a transfer structure while preserving archaeological remains. The architectural detailing included a fully accessible street entrance, visual connections to a public hall, repairs to the existing Portland stone facade, and reintroduction of 'crittall' windows.

The facade design incorporated chamfered corners and a separation between the tower and street facade. The materials included glass reinforced concrete cladding, Portland facing stone, grey granite cladding panels, and bronze coloured metal.

The sustainability measures included targets for embodied carbon, energy use intensity, BREEAM¹ rating, urban greening factor, and biodiversity net gain.

Valid Planning Applications and Delegated Decisions

The committee was scheduled to receive a report listing valid planning applications received by the Environment Department. This report included details such as the application number and ward, address, proposal, applicant/agent name and the date the application was validated.

The committee was also scheduled to receive a report detailing delegated decisions made by the Chief Planning Officer and Development Director since the last meeting. This report included the application number and ward, address, proposal, decision, date of decision, and applicant/agent name. According to the summary, 87 matters had been dealt with under delegated powers, including works to listed buildings, applications for advertisement consent and conditions of previously approved schemes.