Queen’s Market saved as Mayor vetoes development

Boris Johnson has saved a much-loved community market that was lined up to be demolished and replaced with a tower block.

The Mayor stepped in at the last minute to veto the controversial application to develop Queen's Market in Newham. Under the plans, the market would have been replaced with a 31-storey tower block and two 15-storey blocks on the site with developers St Modwen providing a new market.

Mr Johnson attacked the proposed 300ft tower as "inappropriate" and "neither attractive, or in proportion, or suited to any of the surrounding buildings, streets or the general urban realm of Newham".

Supporters of the market said today they were stunned by their unexpected victory after a five-year campaign. Lucy Rogers, of campaign group Friends of Queen's Market, said: "I feel fantastic. We can hardly believe it. I feel in some boroughs, especially in East London, there is a brutish redevelopment agenda going on which doesn't represent what people want. We are very glad the Mayor has listened. This is exactly what he should be for."

The decision is a rebuff for Labour-controlled Newham council, which passed the redevelopment at its planning committee last month.

A Newham spokesman said today: "These plans are vital to transform the local economy. We remain totally committed to improving this key urban centre."