The redevelopment of the London Fruit and Wool Exchange in Spitalfields has been green lighted after the intervention of London Mayor Boris Johnson.

At a packed public hearing at City Hall last night the Mayor approved plans which include a six-storey building containing 36,000 sq m of office space and 3,000 sq m of retail space while keeping the building’s historic fa�ade.

It is hoped the redevelopment will create more than 2,300 jobs - and ultimately contribute more than �2million towards Crossrail.

The plans will see the demolition of the current multi-storey car park and the partial demolition of the London Fruit and Wool Exchange.

Mr Johnson exercised powers granted to him in 2008 to ‘take over’ the application which had been rejected in May by Tower Hamlets councillors in the face of opposition from people nearby.

The council’s planning officers had recommended it for approval.

He said: “The historic London Fruit and Wool Exchange, in the heart of London’s East End, is a former commercial epicentre to which producers and buyers flocked from miles around to do business.

“These plans will not only restore the fa�ade to its former glory, but regenerate the Spitalfields area with thousands of new jobs, and brand new commercial opportunities. It will also make a vital contribution to the wider London economy and have a significant impact not just on Tower Hamlets but on surrounding boroughs as well.

“I can find no reason to refuse permission and am of the firm view that this ambitious and important redevelopment should go ahead.”