Plans to construct a sixty-six story building in the London borough of Southwark have been approved.

The London Bridge Tower - which will be taller than Canary Wharf and has the backing of mayor Ken Livingstone - will contain offices, retail areas and residential space.

Forum Response: English Heritage

A spokesman for English Heritage told ePolitix.com: "Last night the London borough of Southwark's development control committee agreed in principle, to grant planning permission for Renzo Piano's London Bridge Tower.

"The application will now be referred to the government office for London. There is then a period of 21 days during which time the secretary of state will decided whether the application should be called-in for determination at a public inquiry.

"English Heritage has already commented on the major detrimental impact that the proposed London Bridge Tower would have on the Tower of London World Heritage Site.

"We believe that it would be wholly inappropriate and unsympathetic to the character of Southwark and would harm two protected views of St Paul's Cathedral.

"Since June last year the design has been refined and additional illustrative material has been provided, but this has only confirmed the concerns which we originally raised."

"We wrote asking the secretary of state to call in the application last June. We will be writing again following last night's decision, reiterating our concerns."

Forum Response: London First

A spokesperson for London First told ePolitix.com: "The business community welcomes the news. In order to compete globally, London needs to evolve. The development of appropriate landmarks such as the London Bridge Tower will assist this process.

"The building will improve the area and strengthen regeneration initiatives."