Historic England has saluted housing secretary James Brokenshire’s decision to refuse planning permission for a 32-storey Studio Egret West tower development in west London.

The proposals, dubbed the Chiswick Curve, would have delivered 327 new homes alongside new office space and shops. But the government heritage advisor said the proposals would have been an “alien” intrusion on the west London skyline.

Brokenshire’s decision on the scheme flew in the face of advice from a planning inspector to approve the proposals – originally rejected by Hounslow council in 2017.

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