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📍 London, July 9, 2025 — In a closely watched legal case, the High Court has awarded £500,000 in damages to a couple living in Bankside Lofts after ruling that the adjacent Arbor office tower, designed by PLP Architecture, caused a substantial loss of natural light to their sixth-floor apartment. Their upstairs neighbour, Kevin Cooper, received £350,000. However, the court refused to order partial demolition of the 19-storey building, citing disproportionate costs and public interest concerns.
🧑⚖️ Court Ruling and Reasoning Justice Fancourt found that the Arbor tower, part of the Bankside Yards development by Native Land, significantly impacted the residents’ enjoyment of their homes. Yet, he rejected the request for an injunction to cut back the building, stating that such action would be “futile”, potentially costing £250 million and causing environmental and economic harm.
The judge emphasized Arbor’s net-zero sustainability credentials and its alignment with local planning policies, arguing that demolition would waste valuable resources and disrupt the area’s economic activity.
💡 Background and Compensation The claimants, Stephen and Jennifer Powell, had lived in their flat since 2001, while Cooper purchased his unit in 2021 knowing of the tower’s construction. Native Land had previously settled with 38 other affected property owners, but negotiations with the Powells and Cooper failed.
The court determined that the flats remained “useable, attractive and valuable”, though less enjoyable due to reduced daylight. The awarded damages reflect what would have been a reasonable settlement in 2019, when the infringement was identified.
🏙️ Broader Implications Arbor is the first of eight towers planned for Bankside Yards. The ruling is seen as a landmark decision in urban development law, balancing private property rights with public interest and sustainability goals. It follows a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that the Tate Modern’s viewing platform violated the privacy of nearby residents, highlighting growing tensions in London’s high-density redevelopment landscape.
For full coverage, see the report from Dezeen.
