The advice starts off by defining a tall building as "those which significantly exceed the general building heights of their surroundings." The advice goes on to identify in Table 2, particularly sensitive areas where tall buildings will normally not be appropriate. These are as follows:

—  conservation areas

—  green belt and metropolitan open land (including Royal Parks) and other open spaces, their settings and the views from them.

—  listed buildings and their settings

—  London Squares (as designated by the London Squares Preservation Act 1931), St Paul's Cathedral as protected by policy relating to St Paul's Heights.

—  Strategic Views

—  Important local views, panoramas and prospects

—  historic parks and gardens (as on the register held by English Heritage), World Heritage Sites, their buffer zones and backdrops.

  Table 7 of the advice goes on to identify examples of important local views, prospects and panoramas. These were incorporated within the advice as it is noted that London possesses many more visual enhancements than the ten strategic views of St Paul's Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster. These include the views called panoramas and prospects from specific viewpoints or general locations, including those encompassing historic and notable buildings.

  The advice recommends that these local views, panoramas and prospects can be incorporated within Unitary Development Plans to ensure that due consideration is given to their protection.

  Table 3 of the advice also built upon PPG1 by identifying further design considerations for tall buildings. It notes that UDP policies should be developed to reflect this list of criteria. The advice believes that proposed development should;

—  be of outstanding architectural quality

—  be able to secure a complete and well designed setting, including hard and soft landscaping so that the development interacts with, and contributes positively to its surroundings at street level.  

—  be set in the context of an urban design analysis, including the impact on local, medium and long distance views, and places.

—  be accompanied by a design statement

—  emphasise or contribute to a point of civic or visual significance (including a cluster) or a centre of urban activity or regeneration, both locally and in relation to the immediate area and the wider area from which it will be visible.

—  achieve a positive relationship with topographical features and other high buildings nearby, and contribute positively to the image and built environment of London.

—  enhance the skyline by ensuring the that the roof top design is of high quality.