Squire & Partners’ proposals to convert London’s grade I-listed Custom House into a 200-room hotel have been rejected by a planning inspector because of the impact they would have on the Thames-fronting building.

The practice’s plans for the early 19^th century building – designed by David Laing and Robert Smirke – called for the introduction of new roof terraces and would have seen the building’s east block largely rebuilt behind existing façades.

Squire’s scheme was drawn up for Cannon Capital Developments and Globalgem Hotels, now Global Grange Hotels. It has drawn opposition from campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage, the Georgian Society, London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and the Ancient Monuments Society.

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