Agenda item

Report of the City Surveyor and Executive Director Property.

The Committee considered a joint report of the City Surveyor and Executive Director Property concerning approval to declare a volume of City Fund owned airspace measuring 775 sq ft/ 72 sq m, situated at One Bishopsgate Plaza, 80 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AB, to be surplus to highway requirements and allow its disposal in conjunction with the permitted development.

Members noted that the affected airspace is occupied by a canopy benefiting the building owned by Success Venture Investments. Planning permission for the canopy was approved in 2019, and construction has been completed. City engineers have been consulted and are satisfied with the canopy's design and height.

A Member raised concerns about why the issue was not identified earlier in the process. It was explained that the canopy was flagged during planning, and the owner approached city engineers for approval, leading to the current request to regularise the encroachment.

In response to a question about whether the regularising of canopies is common, officers noted that canopies are quite common, and the process of regularising encroachments into city ownership is standard. Members were informed that the City Surveyors review all planning applications to ensure any encroachments are addressed.

When asked why the decision was brought to the Committee, officers informed Members that the authority to declare airspace surplus is not delegated to officers, so it requires Committee approval.

In response to a question about responsibility for the cleanliness of the pavement under the canopy, officers noted that the City remains responsible for maintaining the public highway, including the pavement under the canopy.

RESOLVED – That Members, resolve to declare a volume of City Fund owned airspace totalling 775 sq ft (held for highway purposes), situated around 80 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AB, be surplus to highway requirements to enable its disposal upon terms to be approved under the delegated authority of the City Surveyor.