Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has given the go ahead to the Mirax-Beetham Tower at 1 Blackfriars Road and the 20 Blackfriars Road scheme.

The 51-storey Mirax-Beetham Tower designed by Ian Simpson will include a 261-room luxury hotel and 96 apartments.

The 20 Blackfriars Road scheme by Wilkinson Eyre includes a 42-storey residential tower and 23-storey office tower.

A planning inquiry into the towers started in September 2008. 

Although Southwark Council backed the schemes Westminster Council and Royal Parks Agency argued strongly against the proposals.

English Heritage also objected to both schemes saying they would contribute to a 'harmful erosion on London's heritage assets’.