Sadiq Khan has said he will work with the London Assembly to seek statutory listing of the City Hall building.
Responding to a question from Conservative Assembly Member Tony Arbour during Mayor’s Question Time, Mr Khan said it is “unusual” for buildings constructed less than 30 years ago to receive listing but recognised the “huge significance” of the site.
The Greater London Authority is set to move to a new home on The Royal Docks at the end of 2021 in a move it says will save £61 million over five years, and the City Hall building is yet to find new occupants.
Mr Khan said: “Historic England advises that it is unusual for a building less than 30 years old to be listed as they have yet to stand the test of time. Construction of City Hall commenced in 2000, which means it is still some way off meeting this threshold.”
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However, the Mayor admitted that he had been moved by Mr Arbour’s “really powerful points” about the significance of the building.
Tony Arbour said: “Indeed it is true that it is unusual for a building less than 30 years old to be listed, but there is indeed provision for this to be done if they are of special architectural or historic interest. I think nobody can doubt that City Hall is of special architectural interest.
“London government is going to continue, and City Hall will be a monument to London government if it survives.”
Mr Arbour went on to say that he was not confident that City Hall would survive without “some sort of protection”, given that it stands on “an extremely valuable site”.
The Mayor agreed to speak with Mr Arbour and Assembly Members about what could be done to ensure the survival of City Hall, but the decision on which buildings receive statutory listing ultimately lies with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
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