Don't depend on our vote, say artists

Names including Tracey Emin, Dinos Chapman, and Rachel Whiteread hit out at the Mayor for "destroying" the city through "relentless" development.

The broadside is a major blow to Mr Livingstone as he unveils his art strategy today.

It is also a riposte to suggestions that London's art world is fully united behind the Mayor as he seeks a third term of office in the face of a serious challenge from Tory Boris Johnson.

In an open letter, the artists accuse Mr Livingstone of "destroying what makes London special" by allowing developers virtually free rein to bulldoze communities.

They warn their studios at Bishopsgate Goodsyard, Shoreditch, are under threat because of the Mayor's agreement to two high-rise buildings there.

"We, and thousands of others who live and work in this community, are facing the prospect of being driven out of the area by runaway development," the letter says. It continues: "As developers seek to multiply their profits with every floor we feel as if we are living in a latter-day gold rush where ordinary rules do not apply.

"The proposals are corporate plunder of the most cynical kind, and this has apparently been endorsed by the GLA.

"We are part of a long tradition of artists and artisans who settled here to live, work and create and bring up our families, and we draw inspiration from being part of the East End's strong social fabric. The area continues to attract creative people and has become a unique hub of cultural and social enterprise.

"The GLA's relentless support for tall buildings, with no consideration for their context, is destroying what makes London special. This historic area and its communities deserve an enlightened and creative approach to development, not a sterile, corporate monoculture."

Other signatories to the letter include Gary Hume, Cornelia Parker, Gillian Wearing, Michael Landy and Adam Dant.

The artists want Mr Livingstone to impose an immediate moratorium on two multi-storey developments in Shoreditch and for a new masterplan for the neighbourhood that "truly benefits the local population".

Last week Mr Livingstone raised thousands of pounds by auctioning works of art by Banksy, Antony Gormley and others.

But artist Brad Lochore, who organised the Shoreditch letter, said that not all of London's artistic community was backing the Mayor.

"We are saying 'we are not all for Ken'. We question quite deeply this whole policy," he said. Mr Lochore added the Mayor had only listened "to what the Corporation of London wants".

Community groups also hit out at the plans.

An organisation called Open Shoreditch said: "A democratic approach to the planning of the area is completely absent.

"The long-term communities, small businesses, new residents - anyone with a stake in the area, a link with the area, a history in the area - have all been ignored."