Milton made Boris adviser
- Published: 07 May 2008 17:06
- Last Updated: 29 July 2008 11:20
Sir Simon Milton (Con), the most senior councillor in local government, has been named as one of Boris Johnson's key advisers.
The new mayor of London (Con) has appointed Sir Simon, chairman of the Local Government Association, as his senior adviser on planning.
Sir Simon, who will step down as leader of Westminster City Council, will advise the mayor on the delivery of the London Plan and hinted that Mr Johnson could block a number of the former mayor Ken Livingstone's iconic skyscrapers.
"The mayor has no problems with skyscrapers, but he thinks several in London have been in the wrong place," Sir Simon said after meeting with Mr Johnson. "There will probably be a review of the right locations."
"If a building is still in the planning system then that is where he will be able to exercise an influence."
Sir Simon clashed repeatedly with Mr Livingstone over the latter's predilection for iconic tall buildings. Earlier this year he claimed Mr Livingstone's "fetish for tall buildings" would be a "disaster" for the capital.
Permission for the Victoria Transport Interchange in Westminster is now with the Greater London Authority's planning department and could be affected.
The redevelopment of Elizabeth House next to Waterloo station and a controversial tall building proposed on top of Ealing Broadway station could also come before the new mayor.
Sir Simon had also been an opponent of Mr Livingstone's affordable housing policy of pushing for 50% of all new housing to be affordable. Mr Johnson has pledged to scrap the target.
Sir Simon also insisted his new role would not force him to stand down as LGA chairman. "This is something I discussed with [LGA Labour group leader] Sir Jeremy Beecham and [Liberal Democrat group leader] Richard Kemp and they are happy," he said.
"I certainly think there is no more scope for a conflict of interest than my being leader of Westminster City Council."
