Londoners fight Apple’s plan to steal sunlight

A PLANNED LONDON DEVELOPMENT that could include an Apple Store is facing opposition from local residents concerned that it will block out the sun.

According to Reuters, plans to build the homage to commerce have run afoul of protesters that are convinced that they have a right to see the sun, and perhaps some of the sky. However the landowners aren't looking at the sky, but rather their bottom line.

The City of London, which owns the land nestled in the heart of London's financial district, is asking for approval to override laws that let people stop developments that block sunlight. Reuters explains that it argues that while some people might turn into Morlocks, the building at 100 Cheapside is actually for the greater economic good.

In a report to its own transport and policy committees the City of London said that the building will bring a lot of economic benefits to an area that we thought was already pretty flushed with cash.

Reuters reports that although there is only a planning application in place, a source claims that Apple is very interested in some part of its 13,000 square feet of retail space. We imagine that will let bankers and the like while away their lunch hours and bonuses on fruit themed gadgets, but we can't see how that will have much economic benefit to anyone except Apple.

The report adds that the City of London has got around the bothersome business of people's rights to sunlight by circumventing the laws that prescribe it. µ