Echoing spires

Watching 'Amazing Hotels; life beyond the lobby' I discovered that Renzo Piano, the architect of The Shard was inspired by London's church spires.

This morning on Primrose Hill I had a sudden revelation.

On the left hand side of my picture you will see the spire of St Mark's Church Regent's Park. It has a certain hight and shape to it.

Now cast your eyes to the right and you will see The Shard.

From this point of view both church spire and Shard seem to be the same height and shape. They are of course not, as The Shard is much further away and taller.

What made me wonder wether Piano had stood on this spot whist considering the design of his building was reinforced when I looked down and saw ancient markers for the parish boundary (see extra).

What I do know is that there are several key sight lines and planning rules in London. This may be one of them.