Biggs bashes Boris over Columbus Tower

12 October 2009

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LONDON Assembly member John Biggs has criticised Boris Johnson over his decision to grant planning permission for the capital's tallest building despite the development being refused by Tower Hamlets council's planning committee.

Mr Biggs has accused the Mayor of London of ignoring the advice of the council after he approved the construction of the 67-storey Coloumbus Tower at West India Quay, which was rejected by committee members at the strategic development committee over the summer.

But the Mayor has used new powers to give the tower the green light. When built it will be taller than London's current tallest building One Canada Square in nearby Canary Wharf.

Mr Biggs, Assembly member for City and East, said that the Mayor had gone back on his opposition to tall buildings and his promise to respect local decision-making.

He also questioned the £4 million promised by developers Commercial Estates for a contribution to Crossrail.

Mr Biggs said: "Of course Crossrail is a hugely important project. My point is that the Mayor should not use important decisions that will impact massively on East London as part of a trade-off.

"I would be interested to see how keen he would be to approve an enormous tower block in Kensington and Chelsea or his other favourite boroughs. Every one of his actions demonstrates how little he cares for east London.