A 30-storey skyscraper to be built in Paddington has been given approval by the council amidst outcry from more than 900 protesters who wanted to see the idea binned.

Plans for the Edgware Road site, part of a £1 billion renovation project, were given the green light by Westminster council members after opposing members were outvoted three to one in the meeting.

Protesters have began a petition against the development, including Historic England, campaign group Skyline and residents in the area.

Barbara Weiss, co-founder of Skyline, told getwestlondon: "This kind of housing doesn't house Londoners, the vast majority aren't affordable and the small percentage which are just aren't affordable.

"We want to protect the city's beautiful areas before it is invaded by huge skyscrapers, or London will be trashed."

Campaigners also claimed the council's policy states that only a certain number of tall buildings are allowed in the area and in approving the new block, they have surpassed this and "gone back on their own policy".

Ms Weiss said they will be going down legal channels and will consider their options.

Other building heights will be reviewed

The tower is due to be built on a car park north of the Westway Marylebone flyover by Berkeley developer and includes 652 new homes, 126 of which are labelled "affordable".

A residents garden, shops and an office on Church Street are also part of the development.

    It is the second petition the developers have faced, after a previous list of 300 signatories led to the the height of the building being lowered.

    The proposals are one of many planning disputes in the West End Green which have gone on for several years.

    A Westminster City Council spokesman said: "As was highlighted in the committee report which detailed the application, West End Green is a unique site and so any development granted there was not going to set a precedent.

    "In terms of the city as a whole, the council is committed to listening to the many different views people have on building height in Westminster.

    "That is why we will be consulting residents and businesses on our building height policy later this year.”