Taylor Wimpey is applying to the Planning and Transportation Committee on 28 February to determine whether prior approval is required for the method of demolition of the existing building. The planning application for the new building is now due to go to the Committee on 2 May, so Bernard Morgan House could be demolished before its replacement is approved.

A prior approval request is highly unusual in the City of London. However, if the Committee consents, Taylor Wimpey will start demolition on 3 March, having commenced erection of scaffolding on 27 February - before the meeting. 17/00088/DPAR is the application reference and the City’s planning portal can be accessed at www.planning2.cityoflondon.gov.uk/online- applications/.

Details of the application and comments made to date can be seen on the portal. The proposed Method Statement for the demolition contains a number of errors and omissions and there are no drawings showing the positioning of scaffolding, some of which will block pavements, nor details of how 50 tonne excavators will be safely operated next to Jewin Welsh Church and its Hatching Dragons Nursery.

Online comments on the application can also be made there. Otherwise comments should be sent to the Case Officer, Catherine Linford, Development Division, Department of the Built Environment, City of London Guildhall EC2P 2EJ. If you intend objecting, please comment.