London to house Europe's tallest building

London is to be the home for Europe's tallest building in Europe after planning position was granted for the 306m high "Shard of Glass".

The tower, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, will rise from a riverside site near London Bridge station on the south bank. The slender pyramid will be more than 60m taller than the main tower at Canary Wharf.

The building will have two viewing platforms open to the public, with the higher viewing gallery 250m above ground. The scheme, backed by the property developer Irvine Sellar, had been opposed by heritage groups.

Sella had been seeking planning permission for three years.