Prescott approves Shell Centre development

Shell and Lend Lease, the Australian developer, had appealed after a three-year planning fight.

Arup Associates designed the Belvedere Court scheme for shopping, dining, leisure and 300,000 sq ft of offices at Shell's UK headquarters

Lambeth Council had turned down the planning application in 2002 because of the scheme's height, bulk and massing, the fact that it overlooked the north block of County Hall, the impact that the new retail would have on Lower Marsh and the loss of public open space at the 'Podium' level.

A Planning Inquiry sat for 10 days in December 2003 and made a recommendation to John Prescott.