The City of London’s tallest skyscraper could look like a toilet seat in the sky – and that’s not even the worst thing about it| Oliver Wainwright

As more and more giant towers are squeezed in by developers, open spaces and natural light are becoming things of the past

From some angles, it looks like a giant toilet seat in the sky. From others, it looks like a big tongue, sticking out to lick crumbs off the neighbouring Cheesegrater. Or, in the words of William Upton KC, member of the City of London Corporation’s planning committee: “It looks like one of those plastic spoons we used to get in cheap station cafes that you sort of swirl your coffee with.”

Whatever allusion you prefer, this swollen white protrusion – set to hold a “podium garden” aloft, 40 metres above the street – is one of the more contentious features of the proposals for, the tallest new tower planned for the City. The designs were expected to be rubber-stamped, after being recommended for approval by planning officers. But earlier this month, after a marathon three-and-a-half hour meeting, the planning committee voted to defer its decision, requesting “minor adjustments” be made to the 310-metre tall skyscraper.

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