Protests put paid to chimney at Battersea

Plans to build a giant glass chimney B rising out of an "eco-dome" at Battersea power station have been scrapped.

The chimney would have been one of the tallest structures in London, twice the height of the Gherkin building in the City, and contained a wind turbine.

However, residents, public bodies and the Mayor all objected to the proposal - the central showpiece for the £4billion redevelopment of Giles Gilbert Scott's Grade II-listed building which has been out of action since 1982.

The developer, Treasury Holdings, and architect, Uruguayan-born Rafael Viñoly, have been forced to go back to the drawing board. It is thought the height of the tower will be reduced to bring it in line with those in Westminster and the dome will be replaced with a series of canopies.

Admirers of the 1933 building have complained about how long the redevelopment has taken, fearing delays could eventually lead to its crumbling into disrepair.