Glass Shard, Europe's tallest building, to be built in London

A new building for London, 1,000ft (306m) high and called the "Shard of Glass", has been approved. It will be the tallest building in Europe.

Designed by the leading Italian architect Renzo Piano, the tower will rise from a riverside site near London Bridge station on the south bank. The slender pyramid will be more than 200ft taller than the main tower at Canary Wharf.

The building will have two viewing platforms open to the public, with the higher viewing gallery 800ft above ground. The scheme, backed by the property developer Irvine Sellar, had been opposed by heritage groups.

Mr Sellar, who spent more than three years seeking planning permission, said the tower would be world-famous.