The government has turned down controversial plans by media mogul Richard Desmond to build 1,500 homes on the site of the former Westferry Printworks, reversing the decision of former housing secretary Robert Jenrick.

Jenrick’s approval of the 30-storey Isle of Dogs scheme in January last year, against the advice of the planning inspector, was later quashed for reasons of “apparent bias” in favour of the applicant, a Tory party donor, provoking a major political row.

After the furore the scheme was sent to be considered afresh by a new inspector, with the application having ultimately been determined by junior housing and rough sleeping minister, Eddie Hughes, on behalf of the new secretary of state, Michael Gove.

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