Work starts on Hopton Street tower

Computer generated image of the planned tower

The so-called 'Tate Tower', opposed by neighbours at Falcon Point, Bankside Lofts and Tate Modern, will replace the Victorian stables which until recent years was occupied by a paper merchant.

The original developer successfully appealed to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott against Southwark Council's rejection of the plan. An appeal by the objectors group BROAD (Bankside Residents for Appropriate Development) to the European Court of Human Rights was rejected last month.

The 20-storey apartment tower scheme has now been taken over from London Town by Meyer Bergman. However, it is understood that the plan for a retail space on the ground floor may have to be revised due to a boundary problem on the eastern side with Tate Modern.

The total development cost is estimated at £40 million with completion scheduled for 2008.

An archaeological excavation in February uncovered the bed of a stream thought to be a medieval drainage ditch belonging to the Paris Garden.

• Bankside resident clashes with Mayor at TV debate – 30 June 2005
• London Town sells Hopton Street site – 1 January 2005
• Bankside residents lose 'Tate Tower' appeal – 21 January 2004
• 'Tate Tower' judgement postponed until January – 15 December 2003
• Problems for developer of Tate's controversial neighbour – 12 September 2003
• High Court challenge to 20-storey Tate 'rival' – 24 July 2003
• Tate Tower: London Town wins planning appeal – 11 July 2003
• Tate and Bankside residents fight tower block threat – 8 July 2003
• Planning blow hits Tate Tower developer – 8 April 2003
• 'Tate Tower' rejected – 17 October 2003
• Serota joins 'Tate Tower' row – 10 September 2001
• Tate Tower: opposition grows – 29 August 2001
• Anger over Tate towerblock plan – 1 July 2001