Heritage groups have applauded Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s decision to use his planning powers to reject Foster & Partners’ controversial Tulip proposals.

Historic England and Tower of London manager Historic Royal Palaces both said this week’s letter directing the City of London to refuse consent for the 305m structure, proposed for a site next to Fosters’ Gherkin, was the correct choice for the capital.

City planners agreed in principle to approve the proposals, drawn up for Gherkin owner Jacob J Safra, at a meeting in April. But the decision required Khan’s stamp of approval because of its scale, and Khan cited design and heritage impacts among his reasons for refusal.

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