Existing buildings around the famous Shell Centre Tower will be demolished to make way for eight new high rise buildings offering a mix of offices and 790 apartments.

The Tower will remain the centrepiece of the new site, occupied by Shell, which is taking a further 245,000 sq ft of space in one of the new buildings.

Architect  Squire & Partners drew up the masterplan for the 1.45m sq ft mixed use scheme, which includes two office blocks, three residential blocks, two ‘slender’ towers and a new public square.

Because of the scale of the plans the scheme will need to go before the London Mayor for final clearance.

So far he has rubber stamped all major London development plans referred to the Greater London Assembly.

The construction project, which will continue over an anticipated six-year period, will employ an average of 700 workers on-site rising to 1,630 at the peak of construction.

Sir George Iacobescu, Chairman and Chief Executive, Canary Wharf Group, said: “We are delighted that Lambeth Council has approved these plans for us to work on such an important and historical site.

“We will continue to work with the London Borough of Lambeth and the local community as we move to the next phase of planning and development to ensure that all involved in the area get the best possible opportunities from this new development.”

Qatari Diar Group Chief Executive Officer Khaled Al Sayyed, continued: “Our development will be a unique place to live and work in the centre of London, providing locals and visitors alike with much needed public space, entertainment and culture.”