Tonight:
5°c
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."
Reader views (11)
I have no time for these people who think that the urbanisation of isle of dogs is ruining historical london.
The only areas of london that have any 'tourist attraction' qualities are round the city and trafalgar square. Because of the great fire of london and world war 2, this city has suffered a lot and needs urbanisation to increase its appeal. Without it, it's just a bridge, a palace, a cathedral, parliament and some ugly 60's towers. Stop living in the 1800's and give this amazing city the makeover it deserves.
- Matt, colchester, england, 24/03/2010 13:44
Report abuse
Is there going to be any affordable housing in the tower or is this being shoved elsewhere?
- Julie, London, 09/10/2009 12:21
Report abuse
Nice replacement for an ugly building currently on the site. It will complement the historic buildings nearby rather than diminish the. Boris has made the right call.
- Luke, Poplar, 08/10/2009 23:45
Report abuse
Nigel,have you thought about the housing alone that is going to be required for the extra workers.we have office blocks here with lighting which never goes out,the toilets are on continual flushing systems and no one is even renting them,the windfarms we have are only helping to keep up the supply,let alone supply any extra,
stop building offices.
- David Pope, Chertsey UK, 08/10/2009 17:37
Report abuse
Does anyone know if the flats in the tower will be affordable or social rented or just for the yuppies, with everyone else shoved elsewhere ?
- Chris, London, 08/10/2009 16:16
Report abuse
Greg, what part of historical London has died? Last time I walked past there, the site has a small brick-office building (built in the late 80s/early 90s) with a car park in front of it. No big loss if that goes.
- Ed, London, 08/10/2009 14:01
Report abuse
David, a well-designed large modern building will use less electricity than older office accomodation for the same number of people. So the electricity will come from the various old offices that become redundant and get demolished, and with some additional overall saving on top of that.
- Nigel, London, 08/10/2009 13:55
Report abuse
The guy who reckons "another piece of historical London dies" ought to know more about the city he lives in. The tower will in fact replace the ghastly Hertsmere House which is about as historically significant as the average McDonald's restaurant.
- Nick, Isle of Dogs, London, 08/10/2009 11:38
Report abuse
And so another part of historical London dies. When will this tower block frenzy stop?
- Greg, London, 08/10/2009 11:03
Report abuse
What I would like to know is where all the Electricity is coming from to feed these extremely large buildings , it means just more and more pollution.
- David Pope, Chertsey UK, 08/10/2009 10:23
Report abuse
It beggars belief that the idiots at Tower Hamlets refused this tower, with all the benefits that it will bring to the local area. Were they worried it would block views of 1 Canada Square? Well done Boris. Great decision.
- Nick, Isle of Dogs, London, 08/10/2009 10:21
Report abuse
