The building's architects, Foster + Partners, said it is intended to complement the Gherkin, which is owned and designed by the same team. The tower will be a visitor attraction without any office space. If approved, the tower will be London's second tallest building. Work could have started as early as 2020 with a scheduled completion date of 2025. A planning application was submitted to the City of London planning authority on 19 November 2018. It faced opposition from Historic England and Historic Places, who argued that the tower will impact views of the Tower of London. The Greater London Authority expressed "significant concerns" about the design. A survey completed by 1,011 Londoners in December 2018, suggested that two-thirds believed the tower would be "an attractive addition to the London skyline". In November 2018, London City Airport officials insisted that National Air Traffic Services be consulted regarding the impact rotating gondolas would have on radar systems; NATS responded that "it was satisfied that no impact from either the building or the moving gondolas is anticipated." The city's planning and transportation committee approved the scheme on 2 April 2019.
Opposition
The tower has been opposed by Historic England, Historic Royal Palaces, and the Greater London Authority. Following the approval, chief executive of Historic England Duncan Wilson said he was disappointed with the decision and that the construction "would damage the very thing its developers claim they will deliver – tourism and views of London’s extraordinary heritage". Duncan also claimed that the Tower of London has "already been damaged by the Walkie Talkie and it would be a great shame if that mistake was repeated", referring to the approval granted for the Tulip's construction. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also shown objection with the construction, saying that the tower breaches the London Plan by restricting free entry to the publicly-accessible viewing platform. He also said that the protected views of the Tower of London would be harmed.
Rejection
The tower was refused planning permission by Sadiq Khan on 15 July 2019. Historic England welcomed the rejection, saying in a statement "We have long been of the opinion that this is the wrong building in the wrong place. We advised that its height and design – essentially a tall lift shaft with a bulge on top – would cause permanent and irreversible damage to the setting of the Tower of London, and in turn, the image and identity of the capital."
