First view of river towers with a cultural dimension

THIS IS the first image of new proposals by developer Berkeley Homes and Southwark council for the site between Tower Bridge and City Hall.

A new architect was appointed for the scheme last May, a month after previous Berkeley plans for eight chunky towers were dropped in the face of council opposition.

The site has been derelict since the Seventies, and the new architect, Squire and Partners, has been consulting local residents' groups over the summer. The row over the previous scheme focused on the absence of a cultural use.

The new proposals contain an area dedicated for cultural use, but no decision has yet been made regarding which use it will be. Tony Pidgley, managing director of Berkeley Homes, said: "The selection of a suitable cultural user for the site is now well under way and a short-list of four has been selected."

The new buildings will be between six and 11 storeys high with the exception of one 20-storey tower which is said to lie outside the strategic viewing corridors.

However, only 74 of the proposed 374 flats will be affordable housing, for either rent or shared ownership.

Mayor Boris Johnson will also have to endorse the plans.