Southwark Street space rocket tower: date set for public inquiry

The scheme – for a site next to the Menier Chocolate Factory – has been designed by Nikita Yavein of Studio 44 architects in St Petersburg.

The tower with nine very large flats would sit above a new theatre, museum and restaurant building on Southwark Street.

Last October Southwark's planning committee resolved to refuse planning permission for the Gagarin Square development, citing ten reasons for refusal.

The reasons for refusal included concern about the tower's height, its impact on views and local heritage.

Earlier this year we reported that the developers had lodged an appeal against the council's decision.

Now a date has been set for a public inquiry.

The inquiry will open on Tuesday 28 March 2017 and is expected to sit for seven days.

• Planning Inspectorate reference APP/A5840/W/16/3147554