Heathrow opposes 1 Undershaft

During the summer of 2015, planning permission was submitted for the tallest building in the City of London, designed to reach a mammoth 309.6m in height. 1 Undershaft will have 73 storeys, with a square footprint, a free viewing gallery for the public at the top and a 150m x 10m public space under the tower. The core of the tower will be to the west in a bid to improve the public experience on the ground. This will create an impressive, red cross-gartered, slender shaft.

Unfortunately, the excitement surrounding the building is not shared by all: Heathrow’s Air Traffic Control (NATS) has opposed its construction with claims it will disrupt the H10 radar relied on to detect and measure the positions of aircraft, as well as receive information such as identity and altitude.

The main concern from NATS is that the building will block the radar signal and generate false targets due to reflections off the building. However, reports indicate that they are working with the developer to come to an agreement and the proposed development is still planned to go ahead.

It not just NATS who have opposed Undershaft; concerns have been raised over the protection of the St Helens Conservation Area, including Historic Royal Palaces and The Leathersellers, and neighbouring companies, such as the New Ireland Assurance Company, have all voiced their doubts

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