London Stone to stand its ground as developer wins planning okay
THE LONDON Stone, an ancient City landmark, is to stay in its place outside 111 Cannon Street, according to redevelopment plans for the building approved last night.
A row broke out last year between 111 Cannon Street’s previous owner Minerva and a number of heritage societies after the developer wanted to move the ancient Grade II-listed rock to another site.
But the building’s new owners have promised to put it back in its original place after restoring the building, according to plans approved by the City of London Corporation last night.
The owner of the building is unclear but Sebastian Potiriadis, development manager at property firm The Real Estate Office, is understood to be managing the development.
The building, which is currently home to a WH Smith store, will be restored into a modern office and retail development.
The origins of the rock are uncertain but it is thought to have been a Roman milestone from which all distances in Britain were measured. The stone is subject to countless myths, including a famous saying that claims that London will continue to flourish as long as the rock is kept safe.