Community in shock as Labour Minister nods through monster skyscraper in their neighbourhood

4.01.00pm GMT Thu 30th Oct 2008

Councillor Ruth Polling speaking against the tower at the planning appeal in Finsbury Town Hall

Liberal Democrat councillors in Finsbury were bitterly disappointed by a new decision by the Government to allow a 39-storey, 150-meter tall skyscraper to be built on the corner of Old Street and City Road. Hazel Blears, the Labour Secretary of State for Local Government, rubber-stamped the tower's construction despite objections from local people and the refusal of Islington Council to give the developers planning permission.

Bunhill's Lib Dem councillors have fought alongside residents against this tower because:

• At 39 storeys it is just too big for a residential area.

• The design lacks facilities and outdoor space for its hundreds of new residents.

• It will place new strain on services and transport infrastructure in the local area.

Local Lib Dem ward councillor Ruth Polling said:

"We're bitterly disappointed with the decision. Local people told us that this tower block is far too high - this is a residential area, not just an extension of the City. We fought their corner as hard as we could.

"But the concerns of local people have been completely dismissed by the Labour minister, and now this 39 storey corporate identikit monstrosity will be built anyway."

Ruth added:

"No Labour or Conservative politicians intervened on the side of local people. Our local Labour MP Emily Thornberry failed to stand up for us, and has allowed her Government to rubber-stamp this crazy development."

At 150 metres the Old Street skyscraper will be even taller than:

• The London Eye (135m)

• The Barbican Towers (123m)

• Centrepoint (117m)

• Peregrine House on Hall Street (80m)