Sadiq Khan backs two new City of London skyscrapers Published duration 13 December 2016

image copyright Eric Pary Architects

London mayor Sadiq Khan has approved the building of two new skyscrapers for the capital.

The developments at 1 Undershaft and 22 Bishopsgate were approved by the City of London Corporation earlier this year.

Mr Khan said both would include a free public observation platform.

The 73-storey tower at 1 Undershaft, known as the Trelis, will be 305 metres (1,000ft) high - just five metres shorter than the tip of the Shard.

The Bishopsgate development comes ten years after the ill-fated Pinnacle was granted planning position.

That development was eventually abandoned, leaving a half-finished nine-storey shaft pointing towards the sky after funding dried up four years ago.

image copyright Erix Pary Architects image caption The Undershaft and Bishopsgate developments will be the latest additions to the City of London skyline

City Hall said the new developments would deliver nearly £6m in contributions to affordable housing, which the Corporation of London will use to deliver affordable homes on its wider estates across the city.

It will also provide more than £14m towards the construction of the Crossrail project.

It said the plans include a significant expansion of public open space on the sites, as well as office accommodation for almost 20,000 workers.

image copyright Getty Images image caption The new tower at 22 Bishopsgate will replace the Pinnacle tower - also known as the Helter Skelter - on which development halted four years ago.

Mr Khan, said: "These two projects represent a significant investment in the heart of London's economy and are a clear sign that the capital is open for business.

"They will be highly-visible signs of London's enduring appeal as a place to invest.

London's tallest buildings:

The White Tower, part of the Tower of London, was completed in 1098 at 27m (89ft) high

The original St Paul's Cathedral was the world's tallest building when completed in 1310 at a height of 150m (492ft)

The current St Paul's Cathedral, completed in 1710 following the Great Fire of London, was also the city's tallest building at 111m (364 ft) high

Milbank Tower, at 118m (387ft), finally took over from St Paul's Cathedral as London's tallest building in 1963

Just one year later, the BT Tower moved above Milbank at 177m (581ft)

In 1980, the NatWest tower - or Tower 42 - became London's tallest building at 183m (600ft).

At 235m (771ft), the honour of the capital's tallest building then passed to Canary Wharf - or One Canada Square - in 1991.

The current holder of the title is the Shard, completed in 2012 at a height of 310m (1,017ft) at its highest tip

"These new landmark buildings will offer world-class offices and it's great news that the development of the site at 22 Bishopsgate can now proceed, as this has lain unused for almost five years.

"What's more, Londoners and visitors alike should have the opportunity to take in the views from the upper reaches of these new buildings, for free, and I'm really pleased we have been able to secure this as part of the plans."