Planning wrap - December 4

An official thumbs-down for the Helix-London project on Trafalgar Way is now expected from the council next year.

Councillors chose not to green-light the 355-unit scheme against the recommendation of officers in October. As a result, the application was deferred while a supplementary report was drawn up with reasons for refusal.

This information was not available by Thursday's Strategic Development meeting, so the report will now be delivered at the next meeting on January 5.

Trafalgar Way Ltd and fast food giant McDonalds were keen to see the project replace the current drive-thru. But it has failed to win over councillors on two separate occasions due to concerns over density.

Canary Wharf Group's plans for the Isle of Dogs Crossrail station were cleared by the board on Thursday, paving the way for the construction of shops, cafes and a public park on top of the rail hub.

Architects Foster and Partners were hired to draw up a vision for the project, which will occupy the top floors of the West India Dock-based station when the £16billion rail link starts running from 2017.

London Mayor Boris Johnson gave his seal of approval to the scheme in November.

He has also recently backed the placement of the world's largest yacht in South Dock. The 170-metre Aquiva yacht would feature 180 cabins and measure 15 metres more than the Barclays tower at One Churchill Place.

Developers hope to have the craft permanently moored on site by 2012.