The Fountainhead (of blood)

This helicopter crash in central London that claimed two lives can be directly attributable to the liberalisation of planning permission for skyscrapers, with protection only for sightlines to St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London.  With more tall buildings, it is becoming increasingly difficult for helicopter pilots to manoeuvre if they have to leave the Thames path (and even the airspace here is becoming crowded).  The crane this helicopter collided with is building a cylindrical monstrosity that is completely incongruous to the Thames skyline.  It should never have been built as it is only willy-waving by the architect ('look how big mine is') and apparently it was opposed by the local community but money talked.

As with budget-busting rail fare increases, this policy is supported by both parties but it was introduced by Ken Livingstone with the lie that more tall buildings would increase social housing for public sector workers.  Instead, these buildings are used for office space and accommodation for the rich (who fill them up like cars quickly fill up new motorways).  London has traditionally had a low-rise skyline, making it distinctive among world cities.  It is not Hong Kong, Dubai or even New York, as it is an ancient city.  There is room for architectural marvels like Swiss Re building (the Gherkin) or the Shard, but too many of these new skyscrapers are ugly and out of place and, as we have seen today, providing increasing risks for those flying by helicopter and those on the ground who get hit from above (one of the deaths was at street level and killed by the falling helicopter).  Livingstone has blood on his hands.