Tower Blocks

London’s skyline, which already boasts a 'gherkin' (right), is now set to get a 'walkie talkie' (centre), and a 'helter skelter' (left). There are also plans for a 'cheese grater', a 'blade' and a 'shard of glass'. Heritage groups are concerned that the rash of approvals for skyscrapers could ruin the city’s historic character Photograph: PR

The controversial 155 metre-high 'walkie talkie' skyscraper has been approved by the government despite the objections of their own advisers – English Heritage. The tower at 20 Fenchurch Street was designed by the fashionable New York-based architect Rafael Vinoly. English Heritage said it would be one of 'London’s ugliest and most oppressive buildings' Photograph: English Heritage

The 36-storey building includes a publicly accessible 'sky garden' with views across London. Announcing planning approval, the communities secretary, Hazel Blears, said this week that it would not harm historic views of the Tower of London and would make a significant contribution to London’s architecture Photograph: PR

View from Waterloo Bridge (before). English Heritage said the new tower would wreck London's historic character, spoil views of the city and damage the setting for the world heritage site around the Tower of London Photograph: English Heritage

View from Waterloo Bridge (after) Photograph: English Heritage

Nicknamed 'the boomerang' the 180m Beetham Tower has just gained the backing of planners in Southwark Photograph: PR

Otherwise known as the 'shard of glass', London Bridge Tower was designed by the celebrated Italian architect Renzo Piano and was approved in 2003 despite the objections of architectural campaigners. It has yet to be built Photograph: PR

The proper name for this 307 metre-high tower is the Pinnacle, but it is better known as the 'helter skelter'. It was approved in 2004, but has yet to be built Photograph: PR

The 47-storey tower by the architect Richard Rogers has perhaps the best skyscraper nickname. The 'cheese grater' is set to join the London skyline after its developers British Land announced in May that they were going ahead with the scheme Photograph: PR

Berkeley Homes are starting to build this development despite the objections of community groups and English Heritage Photograph: PR

The former deputy prime minister John Prescott approved this 50-storey tower against the advice of his own civil servants. Work is expected to start on Vauxhall Tower within the next 18 months Photograph: PR