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Boris Johnson has used new planning powers to overturn a local council decision and approve the construction of east London's tallest building.
The 63-storey Columbus Tower, containing offices, flats and hotel rooms, is set to go up on the Isle of Dogs near Canary Wharf. It will be 10 metres higher than the current tallest building - One Canada Square.
The plans were only approved after the developers, Commercial Estates Group, agreed to contribute £4million towards Crossrail and another £1million towards affordable housing in the area.
The company must also pay £2million to increase capacity on local bus services, make improvements to local parks and open spaces and fund new job training initiatives. After original planning permission lapsed, Tower Hamlets council rejected a renewal because of the impact on listed buildings and conservation areas near the site.
Until last April, the Mayor only had powers to veto a scheme that councils wanted to approve, but he can now also overturn rejections.
During his election campaign, Mr Johnson said he would not intervene when councils and residents did not want a plan to go ahead.
But in this case the Mayor said: "The development will deliver a huge contribution to the cost of Crossrail. Considerable sums will also be invested to bring lasting benefits to the local community and therefore I have no doubt that this development must be allowed to go ahead."
