Boris Johnson's fury as 'boomerang' tower gets the go-ahead on South Bank

Boris Johnson today condemned the Government for giving the go-ahead for a 52-storey skyscraper on the South Bank.

The Mayor said it was "regrettable" that Communities Secretary Hazel Blears had backed a planning inquiry's conclusions to allow the £600 million Beetham Tower - named after the Liverpool-based developer - south of Blackfriars Bridge.

He also accused Ms Blears of "developing a worrying appetite" for intervening in decisions he believes are best taken by the London authorities.

The tower, dubbed "The Boomerang", will comprise a six-star hotel with 261 rooms, as well as 64 flats. There will also be a two-storey sky deck at the top of the tower with views over London and a shopping precinct at the bottom.

Southwark council had given planning permission for the 574ft tower but the scheme, which was backed by Ken Livingstone, was called in for a planning inquiry. Mr Johnson, English Heritage, the Royal Parks Agency, and both Lambeth and Westminster councils, had opposed the development.

Today a spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The Mayor would not have approved a tall building in this location and finds the decision regrettable.

"The Secretary of State and MP for Salford has developed a worrying appetite for calling-in decisions that are best taken at the London level. It's another depressing sign that this Government wants to take every decision in Whitehall."

English Heritage had warned that the tower - at 1 Blackfriars Road - could have a "harmful and intrusive" impact on London's historic environment.

But Ms Blears concluded that it and two other tall buildings of 42 and 23-storeys at 20 Blackfriars Road were appropriate.

Hugh Frost, chairman of the Beetham organisation, said: "The development is a vital part of the regeneration of the south bank of the Thames."