A development to built on the iconic Tolworth Tower site was approved by councillors this evening.

Following a meeting which lasted just over 2 hours, the development control committee voted to approve the build.

The decision was met largely with silence from the public gallery, with objector Michael Hope saying he was "appalled but not surprised".

See how it happened: The live blog report of the meeting

Prior to the vote Councillor Bill Brisbane stated the "impact of the local area, design, traffic generation" as reasons why he is not entirely happy with the proposal.

He added: "All tall buildings should be of high quality architecture.

"To me that does not represent high quality architecture.

"That looks like three bulky blocks jammed together."

He called the design "an eyesore" and is met with applause from the public gallery.

Nicola Smith, the planning officer, said: "We can only consider this application in front of us tonight and wether this application provides a suitable mix for the area."

After the vote was held the people who had sat in the public gallery slowly filed out of the meeting room at the Guildhall in a state of shock.

The vote was carried with seven votes for the application, four against and with no abstentions.