London Mayor rejects £100 million Queens Market regeneration plans

The Mayor of London today rejected plans for a £100million redevelopment of Queen's Market in Upton Park, east London. Mayor Boris Johnson turned down plans from developer St Modwen Properties despite its proposals being approved by Newham councillors.

The mayor's decision was based on the height, appropriateness and quality of design of the 31-storey tower dominating the scheme. The plans proposed three residential tower blocks containing 350 flats alongside 6,374 square metres of retail space and 164 market stalls.

Johnson said: “I have carefully considered this application. However, it is obvious that a tower of this size, so much higher than any existing tall buildings in the area, is neither attractive or in proportion or suited to any of the surrounding buildings, streets or the general urban realm of Newham.

“I am not opposed to the improvements to Queen's Market,” he added. “But I am against this inappropriate tower and have, therefore, instructed Newham not to approve these current plans.”

The news was welcomed by long-running campaigners “Friends of Queens Market”, who feared the plans would threaten the existence of the 110-year-old market.