Tower of London may go on threatened list

LONDON, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A U.N. World Heritage Committee is considering placing the historic Tower of London on its list of endangered World Heritage Sites.

The major threat to the British fortress built in the year 1078 by William the Conqueror is the number of high-rise buildings planned in the area surrounding the Tower, the Independent reported. Approved skyscrapers include a 918-foot-tall "Shard of Glass" tower at London Bridge.

At least four other skyscrapers have been proposed in the historic area that includes Parliament and Westminister Abbey, both World Heritage Sites.

The U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization panel will decide in June whether the Tower of London should be added to its list of endangered sites.