Towers of London

Ken Livingstone is being given new powers to approve skyscrapers as part of a government drive to increase the supply of affordable homes.

The Mayor will be able to remove major planning applications from the control of boroughs and approve them himself, preventing schemes being delayed by local objectors.

How London's skyline could look by 2012

The move comes as the Evening Standard today reveals how the London skyline could look by the time of the Olympic Games in 2012. This panoramic picture shows a radically altered landscape with dozens of new skyscrapers, including the recently approved Walkie-Talkie tower in Fenchurch Street. Some of the buildings have not even reached the formal planning stage yet.

Graphic designer Will Fox placed artists' impressions of every large new project on a panorama made from 17 photographs taken from a balcony in Forest Hill.

"There was this amazing London skyline and I started wondering how much it will have changed by the time the Olympic games arrive," said Mr Fox. "I wanted to show the impact these developments will have as I think nobody has a sense of how many new buildings are planned."

Under his new powers, Mr Livingstone is expected to rule on about 350 big developments each year - up 40 on present arrangements. Only a minority are likely to include skyscrapers.

The Greater London Authority Bill, which is due to receive its third reading in the Lords next week, will allow the Mayor to decide on applications for buildings 30 metres or higher.

This falls to 25metres or higher for those adjacent to the Thames but rises to 150 metres for those in the City of London due to the preponderance of skyscrapers there.

Areas favoured by the Mayor for tall buildings - which he believes can be landmarks that "contribute to regeneration and improve London's skyline" - include King's Cross, Paddington, Euston, Victoria, Waterloo, Tottenham Hale, Elephant and Castle, Waterloo, Vauxhall, Battersea and Croydon.

At present the Mayor can only veto applications approved by the boroughs. The new powers - which are expected to receive Royal Assent this autumn - will enable him to give the go-ahead to schemes that face rejection by councillors.

However, the Mayor has to pass three tests before he can take over an application - it must have a "significant impact" on his London Plan development strategy and "significant effects" across more than one borough and there must be "sound planning reasons".

The Mayor will also be able to intervene in plans featuring 150 or more houses or flats - meaning he can force boroughs to reject schemes where he believes there is insufficient affordable housing. His aim is for half of all new homes to be affordable.

For the first time, the Mayor will be required to consider the views of the applicants and the relevant borough council in an open forum.