Prince Charles architect draws up a rival vision for Royal Mail development

The design is based on accepting that London needs greater density to provide the number of homes needed. But Create Streets and the Prince’s Foundation argue that there is no need for steel and glass high-rise, and the density can be provided with medium height buildings designed along the lines of London’s traditional mansion blocks.

In March the prince called for fewer high-rise blocks and more “human-scaled streets, squares and parks” available to a greater mix of people. A Create Streets spokesman said: “The current Royal Mail plan does not maximise value for the Royal Mail Group or, as 30 per cent shareholder, the taxpayer.

“The current plans are very unpopular with the local community — only nine per cent of comments received in the public consultation supported the scheme — and both Camden and Islington councils, who have rejected the application.

“Working for the local community for free, we have developed an alternative scheme which we are very confident would be worth much more to Royal Mail Group.

“We have shared these plans with the GLA. We have also offered to share them with the Royal Mail Group although they have not, to date, chosen to respond to us.”

Francis Terry said: “The architectural establishment ... needs to start listening to locals and respecting the values of localism.

“As we learnt at Chelsea Barracks, people support development but they want it to be in a form that they know and love and which welcomes neighbours instead of turning its back on them.”

This week the Standard revealed that Mayor Boris Johnson’s support for the scheme had been challenged by the Mount Pleasant residents’ association.