Campaign to save buildings to go before High Court

The Museum of London opened in 1976 at the Barbican and has since closed ahead of its relocation at a nearby site

A campaign to save two buildings in the City of London from demolition has won the right to present its case to the High Court.

The City of London Corporation (CLC) wants to demolish Bastion House and the former Museum of London, in the Barbican, and replace them with three office blocks. The three new buildings are to be between five and 17 storeys tall.

But campaign group Barbican Quarter Organisation (BQO) says the work will create a net increase in carbon dioxide and has requested a judicial review, which has now been granted on environmental grounds.

The CLC has declined to comment.

The corporation, which was the applicant as well as the planning authority, said the project would help it hit its target of creating 1.2 sq m extra office floor space by 2040.

The development is aimed at meeting a target for more office space

A BQO spokesperson said the decision to grant a judicial review of the demolition plans marked a "crucial moment for residents and for everyone who cares about London's heritage and climate commitments".

Ricardo Gama, a partner at law firm Leigh Day which represents the campaign group, said: "The City of London has recognised... it is no longer acceptable to treat buildings as disposable.

"Given the massive amounts of carbon needed to demolish and replace buildings, the age of single-use buildings is over."