Boris Johnson has ducked ruling on two £500m developments before the end of his term as mayor of London.
Planning decisions were due to be made by the mayor tomorrow on Northern & Shell Investments No 2’s Westferry Printworks, E14, and the Far East Consortium’s Alpha Square, E14.
However deputy mayor for policy and planning Sir Edward Lister has now said that he will rule on the schemes.
“He [Johnson] has just run out of time,” Sir Edward said. “There’s so much going on at the moment and so many meetings.”
He added: “It’s not unusual for me to do them.”
It comes after the GLA planners recommended last week that the mayor of London approve the two developments.
The Westferry scheme comprises 722 homes, a school, shops and offices. It is being undertaken by Northern & Shell Investments No 2, a property subsidiary of media tycoon Richard Desmond’s Northern & Shell Media Group, with development partner London & Regional.
Far East Consortium’s Alpha Square includes 634 homes, a 231-bedroom hotel, a new school, shops and a health centre.
Public hearings for the schemes are due to take place at City Hall tomorrow.
To send feedback, e-mail louisa.clarence-smith@estatesgazette.com or tweet @LouisaClarence or @estatesgazette
