Majestic views from Buckingham Palace saved

Plans to build two skyscrapers 50 yards from Buckingham Palace have been withdrawn following an outcry from conservation groups.

The 380ft towers were proposed as part of a £2billion regeneration of the area around Victoria station, and would have been clearly visible from the windows of Buckingham Palace.

Because of their proximity to the royal residence they could even have cast a shadow over Her Majesty's garden parties.

But now - following opposition by Westminster council, which rejected the original plans last December, citing concerns about the towers' effect on historic views across the capital - the developers have been forced back to the drawing board.

Rather than building two towers on the site, Land Securities and Transport for London are now asking for permission for just one and its height has been cut to a more modest 240 feet, or 20 storeys.

The block will contain about 200 flats, with shops on the lower levels, and will be on the site of the bus terminal in front of the station. A Land Securities spokesman said: "These plans reflect much of the feedback received previously but contain no public transport provision".

The new plans will come as a relief to conservation groups, which have been deeply concerned about the "two towers" plans since they were unveiled.

Lord St John of Fawsley, former head of the Royal Fine Art Commission, said then: "This view is quintessentially British and should be left alone."

Steven Bee of English Heritage said: "Hugely important events which have involved millions have been set in this landscape, including the Queen's coronation and her Silver Jubilee. This is what is at stake." Robert Davies, Westminster council's Cabinet member for planning, said he was delighted the developers had modified their planning proposal.

"I welcome the reduction in the height of the towers as this now protects the views of Buckingham Palace, and consequently the London skyline, which has always been our goal," he said. "We made this clear a long time ago and I'm pleased that common sense has prevailed."

The new plans for the Victoria redevelopment are due to be submitted to Westminster in summer. A decision will not be made until the end of this year at the earliest.

The development is the latest evidence that London's skyscraper revolution, once confined to the City and Docklands, is spreading. A public inquiry into another proposed skyscraper - a 43-storey block on the South Bank - began this week amid fierce opposition. English Heritage claims the £200 million Doon Street development will block views of Whitehall.