Johnson pledges to save landmarks

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He claimed Mayor Ken Livingstone has given "undue priority" to skyscrapers, putting buildings such as St Paul's Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster at risk of being hidden.

But at the same time he had introduced measures to protect the vistas available from the capital government's City Hall headquarters beside the Thames, Mr Johnson said.

The outspoken Tory is to unveil plans to appoint a panel of construction, architectural and heritage experts, to devise new restrictions.

"Ken Livingstone has introduced regulations that put views of St Paul's and the Palace of Westminster at risk," he said.

"I will amend the London Plan to reinstate the original protection of 10 historic views of these landmarks and strengthen protection for three new views: from St James's Park towards Horse Guards Road; the bridge over the Serpentine in Hyde Park to Westminster; and Island Gardens, Isle of Dogs to the Royal Naval College.

"London's skyline is precious. Tall buildings must be part of London's development, but not at the expense of existing landmarks.

"Tourists flock to London because of its landmarks, and 91% of people want views protected around St Paul's and the the Palace of Westminster."

Mr Johnson said it was "hugely embarrassing" that the attractions faced the prospect of being danger listed by a global heritage body.

"It is hugely embarrassing that the United Nations cultural office, Unesco, considers two of London's greatest architectural triumphs, the Tower of London and the Palace of Westminster, potential candidates for the endangered list of world heritage sites, joining the likes of the Ashur Palace in Iraq and the Minaret in Afghanistan."