London's skyscraper plans rejected by inspectors

London mayor Ken Livingstone's plans to increase the number of skyscrapers in the capital have come under fire by government inspectors.

Livingstone aims to add up to 15 new skyscrapers by 2013, as set out in the London Plan, the mayor's planning framework for the capital over the next 10-15 years.

The desired areas for "very tall buildings" are Paddington, Waterloo, London Bridge, Stratford and Elephant & Castle, Croydon and Canary Wharf.

However a panel of inspectors rejected the plans when reviewing the proposals and supported English Heritage and the Association of Local Government's calls for a rejection of centralisation.

A report by the inspectors is due out shortly when a decision will be made on the mayor's plans.