Tower of London is 'in danger' says UN

The UN has accused Britain of failing to protect the Palace of Westminster and Tower of London from skyscrapers and office blocks.

The landmarks are among seven heritage sites around the country which cultural agency Unesco says are in danger of being suffocated by new developments.

Ministers in London and Edinburgh have been told urgent action is needed.

A spokesman for Unesco's world heritage committee said it was particularly distressed about decisions to approve new tower blocks in the capital.

He said the planned 170m Beetham Tower in Southwark and a 144m tower at Doon Street would overshadow Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret's Church.

The UN is also concerned that Renzo Piano's 66-story "Shard of Glass" at London Bridge will overshadow the Tower of London, which could be added to Unesco's "world heritage in danger" list next year.

Marcus Binney, chairman of Save Britain's Heritage, said: "Heritage has taken a back seat to Cool Britannia and encouraging everything modern."

Other threatened sites include the New and Old Towns in Edinburgh, the neolithic ruins at Skara Brae, Orkney, and Stonehenge. Koichiro Matsuura, Unesco's director general, said: "It is crucial that outstanding features are preserved."