Mayor challenges Columbus Tower refusal

The decision surprised the applicant Commercial Estates Group, who took on the site after permission had been granted for an "essentially identical" application back in 2005.

It is the first time that the Mayor has used new powers introduced in April last year, which allow him to completely take over the decision on whether to grant an application.

He said: "This is a decision I have not taken lightly.

"However, the Columbus Tower proposal clearly meets the test of a planning application of major significance to the whole of London.

"Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs form a key part of my economic development strategy and I have also made it clear that I consider Canary Wharf to be suitable for tall buildings.

"There is already a planning consent for a tall building on this site and the development itself would deliver a significant contribution to Crossrail, the most important new infrastructure project London has seen since the first tube tunnels were dug by the Victorians.

"For these reasons, I believe this application requires me to scrutinise it in greater detail."

Council officers recommended back in June that the Strategic Development committee grant the CEG application, which featured planning contributions totalling £5,502,901 including a £3,581,553 windfall for "transportation improvements" such as Crossrail.

The distinctive design incorporated 30,871 square metres of office space, a 192-room hotel, 74 serviced apartments and 1,468 square metres of commercial space, as well as leisure space and a winter garden.

The plan was submitted after negotiations with Crossrail, whose tunnel serving the upcoming Canary Wharf station would run under the site. Columbus Tower would sit directly opposite the Museum of London Docklands and would require the demolition of Hertsmere House, currently occupied by tenants such as Barclays.

The re-submission was required since planning rules state development must begin within five years of approval, leaving CEG facing an expiry date of March 2 2010. A spokesman told The Wharf back in June that it hoped to begin work before Crossrail works on the tunnel started in spring 2012.

Speaking after the Mayor's decision, Nick Lee of Commercial Estates Group said: "We are pleased that the Mayor has decided to take over this planning application.

"The proposed Columbus Tower will bring significant investment to the area and is in keeping with strategic and local policies to promote high density commercial development on the Isle of Dogs.

"We will work closely with the Greater London Authority and London Borough of Tower Hamlets as the planning process continues."

The council is standing firm on its decision to reject the plan, which was made on grounds including "unacceptable" loss of sunlight.

A statement from the authority said: "Tower Hamlets Council stands by its decision to refuse the development application on historical and conservation grounds, as it neighbours the Docklands Museum. We will now await the Mayor's decision."