The City of London Corporation has today received [27 June] planning and listed building consent for the second phase of public realm transformation and landscaping works on the Barbican Estate Podium.

Essential waterproofing and drainage refurbishment will be undertaken on the podium including to the public realm in the vicinity of Ben Jonson Place, Breton House and Cromwell High Walk.

The works are required as the existing waterproofing membrane has deteriorated and is no longer able to fully protect the concrete structure or the spaces below it.

The Barbican podium, which is located above Beech Street, is a pedestrian high walk route and public realm area. Situated above street level, there is a need to resolve water ingress problems and consider the opportunity to increase the greening of the area.

Key aims of the project include:

• Replacement of the waterproof membrane
• Increasing the extent of soft landscape & greening
• Delivering an accessible and inclusive place for people
• Enhancing the character and amenity value of the podium
• Respecting the rich heritage of the Barbican 
• Future proofing the Barbican, working towards the principles of the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy
• Enhancing water management, microclimate and biodiversity.

This is the second phase of the project, following on from the award-winning Phase One which was completed in 2015.

Chairman of the City of London Corporation Planning and Transport Committee, Shravan Joshi, said:

“I am pleased to see that these important works to the Barbican Estate Podium will soon go ahead, particularly those addressing the water ingress issues. We want to make this much-loved public space more comfortable and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

“The wider works will see over 18,000 square metres of public realm improvements and new green space delivered, as we ensure a more sustainable Square Mile for people to live, work, study and visit here.”