'The Tulip': New London skyscraper gets planning permission

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Chris Hayward, chairman of the City of London Corporation’s planning committee, said he believed the attraction would boost the area's economy, despite opponents' fears that it could cause harm to London's heritage sites. open image in gallery The building will include a viewing platform with rotating pods, a restaurant and a sky bar Mr Hayward said “After a lengthy and robust debate, the committee agreed to approve this truly unique visitor attraction. “This building has the potential to play an important role in realising our vision of the Square Mile as a vibrant 24/7 city.” open image in gallery At 305.3 metres, the Tulip will be the second tallest building in Western Europe after the Shard London Mayor Sadiq Khan opposed the building, arguing that breached the London Plan by failing to provide free entry to the publicly-accessible viewing platform and would ”harm“ protected views of the Tower of London. Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said he was dismayed by the decision to go ahead with the construction of a building that “would damage the very thing its developers claim they will deliver – tourism and views of London’s extraordinary heritage” He continued: “The setting of the Tower of London, a symbol of the city not just to millions of Londoners but to the whole world and one of our most visited places, will be harmed.