Simpson Haugh’s £1bn plans to redevelop a 29-storey hotel in west London designed by Richard Seifert have hit another setback after the government triggered a public inquiry.

It had looked like the plans to demolish the brutalist Kensington Forum hotel would finally go ahead after the GLA gave the green light to its replacement in October – for the second time.

But now ministers at the Communities Department (MHCLG) have called in the proposals which means a public inquiry will be heard by a planning inspector whose recommendation will go to secretary of state Robert Jenrick for approval.

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