Coin Street Community Builders' proposals for the site will provide a public swimming and indoor leisure centre, shopping facilities and a towering residential high-rise development right in the centre of the capital.
For opponents of the scheme the whole building, and especially the skyscraper sitting at the heart of the development, will seriously alter London’s historic skyline and surrounding conservation area.
The Secretary of State’s decision to give the go-ahead for the scheme comes despite the recommendations of English Heritage and the planning inspector Philip Wilson who called for the application to build the 43-storey tower and leisure complex to be refused.
“We are appalled to learn that the Secretary of State has not only overturned the advice of English Heritage as her expert advisors, but she has also chosen to ignore the learned opinion of an independent inspector,” said an English Heritage spokesperson.
Following a three-week enquiry that saw English Heritage and Westminster Council oppose the plans, Hazel Blears decided today, Wednesday August 30, that the drawbacks were outweighed by “substantial benefits to the local community."