But in both cases, the developer faced massive opposition fromgroups like English Heritage because the site is in a conservationarea and involves the redevelopment of listed [formally protected]buildings. But officials from English Heritage, the statutoryprotector of Britain's architecture, have said they will not seekto take the scheme to planning inquiry. Now, the developer has toawait the decision of the Deputy Prime Minister. The referral isautomatic because it involves the demolition of a listed buildingand includes a tower that exceeds 113m.

Adam Wilkinson, secretary of SAVE, another conservation group,told the corporation's planning committee that granting planningpermission would effectively give other developers a weapon formajor developments in conservation areas. While English Heritageargued the location is "not considered appropriate for highbuildings."

"A precedent would be set if it was decided that it was OK tobuild a 100m tower in a conservation area, but I cannot seeourselves asking to call in the decision," says Dr. Gordon Higgottof English Heritage.