Riverside homes plan is ditched

Controversial plans for 500 riverside homes which would have transformed west London's skyline have been withdrawn by developers after being thrown out by two councils.

The scheme to build the skyscraper flats at Lots Road Power Station, including twin towers of 39 and 25 storeys, was designed by Sir Terry Farrell.

But the development, planned for land which straddles the boundaries of Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham, had already been rejected by both councils.

Developer Circadian said it had abandoned the scheme and would now be considering its options. "We are not intending to come back with the same scheme," a spokeswoman said.

Kensington and Chelsea's chief planner Michael French said the scheme was unacceptable because it "would involve construction of a high building in an inappropriate location which would be harmful to the skyline, detrimental to the character and appearance of the area and to important views from neighbouring conservation areas and open spaces".

On Tuesday, Hammersmith and Fulham decided that the plans were unacceptable because they would result in "too many people in one area, traffic congestion, and inadequate open space".