The project team behind Foster & Partners’ controversial Tulip tower has formally launched an appeal over its rejected plans for the 305m tall tourist attraction.

Papers lodged with the City of London Corporation confirm that the team, backed by billionaire financier and Gherkin owner Jacob J Safra, is seeking to challenge last summer’s planning refusal for the structure, dictated by mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Members of the City’s planning and transportation committee had given their backing to the project at a meeting in April – where Historic England’s concerns over the tower’s impact on views of the Tower of London world heritage site were rejected by elected representatives.

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