Gherkin designer’s 42-storey tower block is rejected

The designer of the Gherkin has suffered a major setback with the rejection of his plans for a 149-metre tower at Vauxhall.

Architect Ken Shuttleworth saw his scheme thrown out by Lambeth council despite backing from Boris Johnson. The plans were for a stepped building rising to 42 storeys, including 110 "affordable" homes. Objectors complained that the tower would be as wide as the M16 headquarters and two and a half times taller.

Councillors had criticised the scheme in November, but the developer, Bondway Consortium, failed to make the required improvements. It refused to make a presentation to last week's committee hearing and has lodged an appeal with the government Planning Inspectorate.