At a glance
• Sadiq Khan’s deputy mayor has approved a 20 and 12-storey, 605-bed student accommodation scheme at Paddington Basin, overruling Westminster council
• Councillors argued the towers would harm residents’ quality of life, fail to address Westminster’s housing and homelessness crises, and contribute nothing to bringing families back to the area
• City Hall said the project equates to 242 new homes, includes 30% affordable student rooms and brings over £3.5m for affordable housing
Plans for a “twin tower” student accommodation block near Paddington station have been approved, despite a “red on red” row between the London mayor and Labour councillors.
