Plans for 750 new luxury flats in London’s deprived East End have been thrown out by Tower Hamlets council.

The proposal at the Slylines site at Marsh Wall on the Isle of Dogs was rejected at last Wednesday’s development committee after its second attempt for planning permission.

It included a 50-storey skyscraper at Cubitt Town that would have overshadowed St John’s housing estate close by.

“It was an awful scheme,” said Cllr Peter Golds, Tory opposition group leader who represents Cubitt Town.

“This is a case of over-development—yet another inappropriate scheme taking no account of lack of local infrastructure that would have an impact on our schools and roads.”

The scheme had the backing of Tower Hamlets executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman—but opponents who persuaded the committee to throw it out say they plan to remain vigilant in case developers appeal against the decision.

A petition apparently in support of the scheme which was presented to the committee is now being challenged by campaigners who discovered it contained names of residents who they said were “vehemently against” it.