London Mayor nods through 20-floor office tower

London mayor Sadiq Khan has overruled Southwark Council to approve plans for a 20-storey office tower opposite London Bridge Station.Southwark councillors had previously rejected private equity property investor CIT’s plan claiming the 87m building was “excessive height, scale and massing”.CIT and Union Car Parks own the Vinegar Yard site in Bermondsey. Architects KPF has designed the 185,000 sq ft project to accommodate NHS clinical or medical research uses.The plans also includes a pavillion above an underground music venue.The building is being promoted as a key part of the emerging Life Science & Innovation District.CIT director Ewen Puffett csaid: ‘We welcome the decision to approve the application for Vinegar Yard, a truly transformative development that will unlock this site’s potential as a place for health and creativity.”