The Greater London Authority (GLA) has spoken out against criticism of a proposed office development in London's Shoreditch area.
Campaign group Open Shoreditch – which includes high-profile artists such as Tracey Emin and Dinos Chapman – has criticised London Mayor Ken Livingston over plans for the 25-storey tower block, which it calls a "gross towering overdevelopment", according to Design Week.
However, a GLA spokesperson says the mayor is sympathetic to the group's aims.
"The mayor fully supports the need to maintain Shoreditch as a hub for culture and social enterprise, and would back many of the objectives of the Save Shoreditch campaign to maintain the unique urban mix of the area."
An Open Shoreditch spokesman responded by saying development plans "will involve demolitions and permanent damage to Shoreditch’s historic environment, its social and economic character, and cause environmental degradation affecting local residents and businesses".
By staff writer
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