City tower plan set to stir debate

Controversial plans to build a 38-storey "leaning tower" on the edge on the City emerged today, challenging a new report that says tall buildings are no longer viable in London.

The Deutsche Bank wants to build a striking 200-metre tower in Islington to house some of its 11,000 staff based in London.

The office tower would be slightly taller than the NatWest Tower 42, which is currently the City's tallest building.

The plans are in direct opposition to advice given in a report today to the Commons Select Committee on Tall Buildings.

Professor Geoffrey Marsh, one of Britain's most influential planners, said London simply did not need skyscrapers. His report dealt a severe blow to Ken Livingstone's case that London would lose business if towers were not permitted, saying there was "absolutely no economic evidence that London will lose jobs due to the lack super-high buildings".