London Eye granted permanent consent

When the London Borough of Lambeth originally granted consent for the London Eye in 2003 it imposed a condition requiring it to be removed after 25 years “unless the Council has previously approved a report assessing [its] continued acceptability … detailing its impact and any further mitigation measures that may be required … and have passed a resolution confirming that [its removal] pursuant to this condition is not required”. In order to discharge this condition the London Eye Management Company (LMEC) submitted substantial evidence and analysis in the form of “Further Environmental Information”. The Environment Agency objected to the application on the basis that the retention of the Eye would unreasonably interfere with the future raising of the river wall adjacent to the London Eye to the levels set out in the EA’s Thames Estuary 2100 strategy. The Council concluded that the EA’s objection could be dealt with by means of the imposition of a condition on its discharge decision. The Council’s decision means that the Eye now has permanent consent.

Rob Walton KC advised LMEC in relation to its application, including in relation to the issues raised by the EA, instructed by Town Legal LLP.