London Skyscrapers

We, the undersigned, urge the mayor of London Ken Livingstone to reject UNESCO's calls for the "Shard of Glass" and the Bishopsgate Tower to be cancelled, in the wake of their report into the Tower of London. In addition, we strongly believe that further planning restrictions on tall buildings are completely unnecessary and will do far more harm than good. The reasons are set out below.

- The Shard of Glass, the Bishopsgate Tower and the other skyscrapers planned for the City are truly outstanding examples of architecture. They are world class projects that deserve every chance to be built.

- The City of London is a major financial centre, and in order to retain this position it needs to be flexible and catering to the needs of large corporate tenants.

- The City of London is running out of space and needs to increase the density within its boundaries.

- London has always been a city of contrasts, with old and new juxtaposed together. If anything, these new skyscrapers will enhance and compliment the Tower of London. In any case, only the view from the east side will change. Most other views (from the west, north, southwest) will remain virtually the same.

- A city should never be allowed to stagnate. London is a thriving, dynamic, 21st century metropolis. Throughout its history, it has changed and evolved. It is constantly relying on new people, new ideas, new architecture. This is what makes the place feel so "alive" and vibrant. New landmarks are needed, not just for us, but for future generations to appreciate.

- London already has some of the strictest planning laws in the world. Tightening them still further will cause developers to shun the City, or produce architecture that is bland and lacking any grace or verticality.

- The Thistle Hotel and some of the other low-rise dross nearby already does far more damage to the setting of the Tower than any skyscraper could ever do.

For these reasons, UNESCO's concerns about the Shard of Glass and the Bishopsgate Tower are unfounded.