Tall buildings have been adding to our skylines for some years now and are likely to continue to do so well into the future, offering a variety of benefits for users and local communities alike, whether it be providing office space, residential accommodation or economic benefits that come with being a landmark tourist attraction.

However, as a country with a rich history and many historical buildings still standing, local planning authorities (LPA’s) must consider the impact that tall buildings will have on the historic environment. Historic England have published an advice note (Advice Note 4 Tall Buildings, second edition) which deals with just that, aiming to assist those involved in tall building proposals (in light of changes to national planning policy and guidance, and recent experience of planning for tall buildings in the historic environment).

The advice note sets out to improve transparency in the planning process,  offering advice on what LPA’s should include in their development plans, what tall building policies should cover,  as well as application guidance for developers, which we can only hope will have a positive impact on timeframes for determining applications…