Labour hits back at Tory Boris over Canary Wharf's Columbus Tower
THE London Assembly member representing Canary Wharf has hit back at Mayor Boris Johnson for over-ruling the local authority which threw out plans for a new skyscraper. Labour’s John Biggs accused the Tory mayor of being “all over the place” and breaking promises
THE London Assembly member representing Canary Wharf has hit back at Mayor Boris Johnson for over-ruling the local authority which threw out plans for a new skyscraper.
Labour's John Biggs, whose City & East London constituency includes the waterfront business district, accused the Tory mayor of being "all over the place" and breaking promises.
His attack follows this-morning's news that Boris was overruling Tower Hamlets Council which rejected the controversial Columbus Tower development on August 4.
"Boris wants to stop tall buildings yet he is giving them the okay," said Biggs.
You may also want to watch:
"He is all over the place on this. He promises to give local people more of a say, but here he is intervening to overrule a local decision.
"The Mayor should respect a decision on what was right for the area, not intervene where no intervention is necessary."
Most Read
- 1 Luxury Canary Wharf flats going for lower rent set by the council
- 2 Driver, 18, wanted for driving wrong way through Blackwall Tunnel
- 3 Fines totalling £361k handed to East End landlords and agents
- 4 Isle of Dogs man who murdered teenager at Crossharbour DLR sentenced to 27 years
- 5 Liverpool Street to Shenfield line suspended as person hit by train
- 6 Barts Health NHS Trust reports one of lowest rates of vaccinated staff
- 7 Man charged after triple stabbing on night bus in Mile End
- 8 19 arrested and cash seized in East End dawn drug raids
- 9 Road and rail disruptions to expect in east London this week
- 10 Man killed after fall from Bow tower block
The Mayor is using new planning powers to 'call in' the decision to reject the 63-storey tower for West India Quay, which would include a 192-room hotel and more than 70 flats.
Biggs added: "Whatever people thought of Ken Livingstone's support for tall buildings, at least they knew where he stood.
"Boris should make up his mind where he stands and save the flip-flops for his holidays."
The Columbus Tower scheme could help fund Crossrail, Boris said in his statement from City Hall earlier today.
