Building plans for London’s iconic Westminster Abbey have been announced.

The first major building plans at Westminster Abbey for 250 years have been announced.

The proposal contains plans to build a corona, which is a crown-like architectural feature, on the roof of the iconic London building, to be completed in time to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2013.

The plan to build a corona forms part of the £23 million development of Westminster Abbey called 2020 Vision. The corona itself is estimated to cost £10m.

Over the next decade, plans include opening the Triforium to the public, creating an education centre and building a lift to allow easier access around the Abbey. Construction of the corona will indelibly change the London skyline.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, is spearheading the plans and commented: “It is an odd accident of history that, where so many great churches have a magnificent tower or spire or dome, the Abbey remains unfinished over the site of every coronation since that of William the Conqueror on Christmas Day 1066. Now is the time to consider afresh what should be built there.”

The plans for the development of Westminster Abbey require public support to go ahead and if the bulk of public opinion is against the idea, the plans will probably be dropped.

If the development proposal is approved, a competition will be held by the Royal Institute of British Architects for architects to submit their designs for the corona.