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Museum of London and Bastion House demolition plans approved

CLC Computer generated image of new office plansCLC
The development is aimed at meeting growing office space needs

Plans to demolish two historic buildings within the Barbican area of central London have been approved.

The City of London Corporation (CLC) wants to replace Bastion House and the former Museum of London with three new office blocks, the highest measuring 17 storeys tall.

A CLC spokesperson said the new buildings would help meet growing demand for office space in the City.

Almost 90% of residents voted for an alternative to demolition in 2022.

A new Museum of London development to replace the former building, which closed in December 2022, is currently under construction in Smithfield.

The Barbican Centre, which was built in the 1970s, is Grade II listed but the local authority secured an exemption for the former Museum of London and Bastion House in 2019, allowing them to be demolished.

Geography Photos/Getty Images Museum of LondonGeography Photos/Getty Images
The museum opened in 1976 in the Barbican site and has since closed for relocation

The CLC spokesperson said the development would be able to cater for nearly 3,100 extra jobs within the Square Mile.

They added the plans would lead to a 43% increase in public space including areas for cultural use, "an elevated public space with outstanding views including of St Pauls" and access to the remains of the Roman wall.

Shravan Joshi, who chairs the corporation's planning committee, said "the London Wall West proposals bring us closer to our goal of meeting demand for 1.2 million square metres of new office space by 2040".

He added the plans would signal to investors the City of London remained a "global economic powerhouse".

Philip Toscano/PA File photo dated 24/09/14 of Part of the Barbican Housing Estate and the Guildhall School of Music and DramaPhilip Toscano/PA
Most residents opposed plans for demolition when they were announced

In 2022 Barbican Association chairman Adam Hogg told BBC London the proposal was "short-sighted" and not "worthy of the site".

"There is no evidence that the scheme has the support of the local community, and it is contrary to many of the city's own policies," he said.

The CLC spokesperson said the public consultation on the proposals resulted in "significant changes" being made to the scheme.

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