£23m ‘crown’ for Westminster Abbey for Queen’s 60th

Plans were unveiled today to build a "crown" structure on top of Westminster Abbey.

Under the proposals, which would be the first significant construction at the Abbey for 250 years, the feature, officially known as a corona, would be created above the central crossing by 2013 — in time for the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

The design and size of the new structure will be decided, if there is sufficient public support, after a competition between architects.

It could, however, involve some modern design features and could also incorporate a small tower that will further raise the Abbey's profile on the capital's skyline which could prove contentious. Announcing the plans today, the Dean of Westminster, the Very Rev Dr John Hall, said he believed the change would enhance the Abbey, but conceded that the idea would be contentious.

"It's extremely exciting. It's the first major development here for a long time," he said. "There will of course be some people who say don't change our skyline after all this time' and how dare you tamper with this great beautiful work we know and love'.

"But we're hoping to demonstrate to people how the Abbey has scarcely stood still in its long history."

The Dean said the Gothic corona of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh was an example that could influence the design, while Abbey officials cited York Minster and Ely as other historic churches with a similar feature.

But architect Farshid Moussavi, the co-founder of Foreign Office Architects — the practice appointed last year to oversee the redevelopment of Euston Station — suggested that something more original should be installed on top of the Abbey.

She said: "It would be a mistake to simply replicate the Edinburgh crown. While it is possible to reuse ideas from older periods, it is important to develop them so that you are producing new and relevant ideas.

"I think it's a wonderful idea to add to the cathedral because the principle of cathedrals is that they are constantly evolving and expanding."

Today's proposals form part of a £23 million project that would also result in the Abbey's upper gallery being opened to the public for the first time. A museum housing many historic artefacts that are currently not on display would be placed there.

The Queen has been briefed on the project, as has the Prince of Wales.