Five mega-towers to get the go-ahead in the City as Corporation chief calls for more tall buildings.
The City of London is soon to become a "mini-Manhattan", with a cluster of at least six new towers, the Corporation of London's policy chief has predicted.

Judith Mayhew, chair of the corporation's policy and resources committee, emphasised the need for tall buildings in the area and revealed that there are plans for six towers in the City.

Speaking at last week's MIPIM property fair, Mayhew said the case for the schemes was overwhelming.

"We're going to have a group of tall buildings. It's going to happen. It's just a case of when and how. We have five applications lined up behind the Heron Tower. We'll have mini-Manhattan." Mayhew said the City needed a million square feet to meet increases in demand for space.

Her prediction came as developer Sellar Property Group said it was poised to submit a planning application for Europe's tallest building at London Bridge Station.

The 306 m Renzo Piano-designed tower is the result of nearly a year of consultations with politicians, businesses and residents. UK practice Broadway Malyan is working with the Italian architect on the scheme.

The scheme has aroused concern in the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Greater London Authority that it would be an example of "Trojan horse" architecture.

CABE chairman Sir Stuart Lipton said he wanted the lead planning document, PPG1, to be altered to prevent developers switching architects after planning permission has been secured.