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A 43-storey tower proposed for the South Bank that was condemned as "an act of architectural vandalism" has been approved by a High Court judge.
English Heritage and Westminster council challenged plans for the Doon Street skyscraper after former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears waved it through in August last year against her planning inspector's advice.
However, today Judge Mole ruled that the development, which will fund a public leisure centre and swimming pool, should be allowed to proceed.
Critics said the high rise apartments, dwarfing the South Bank's Hayward Gallery and the Royal Festival Hall, would blight the "sublime symmetry" of the courtyard of Somerset House and ruin views from St James's Park.
The tower was proposed by Coin Street Community Builders, a social enterprise that redeveloped Oxo Tower Wharf and built social housing on the South Bank. It was backed by architects including Lord Rogers and Sir Terry Farrell.
Iain Tuckett, the firm's group director, said: "We welcome the judge's decision. However we regret the huge costs to taxpayers - and to ourselves - caused by Westminster council and English Heritage's unnecessary legal action.
"The scheme will provide those living, working and studying in this part of central London access to urgently needed facilities and will increase participation in sports and improve health. It will also create 329 homes."
Kate Hoey, the Labour MP for Vauxhall and the Mayor's commissioner for sport and a supporter of the scheme, said: "I am delighted at the judgment. The sooner it is built the better."
English Heritage has described the proposed scheme as "a large, angular mass towering above the delicate skyline of spires and domes".
When the project was first approved Rosemarie MacQueen, head of planning at Westminster, said: "If this development gets the go-ahead it will be an act of architectural vandalism which will ruin our skyline for generations to come."
