London mayor Boris Johnson is unlikely to allow a cluster of tall buildings around the south bank of the Thames, a London government official conceded this week.

Plans for the 51-storey tower Beetham Tower on Blackfriars Road and the 43-storey Coin Street Community Builders building, next to the Oxo Tower, have secured detailed planning consent from Southwark council, but are awaiting approval by the secretary of state.

David Lunts, executive director of policy and partnerships at the Greater London Authority, said: 鈥淭he mayor would probably take a less than positive view of developments that affect protected views.鈥�

Lunts was speaking before the launch of a consultation on changes to the London Plan, which included more protection for traditional London views and giving 鈥渓ocal context greater weight鈥� in determining applications for tall buildings.