London's free views come at a cost

Although the group has succeeded in scuppering plans for buildings such as the 72-story Paddington Pole in western London, Weiss told the bdonline website last year that it is "devastating to observe that we, the objectors, were actually spot-on in estimating the seriousness of the risk presented to London by the brazen and unconscionable experiments conducted on its skyline".

"If one looks around today at what London has become in 2023, it is clear that we are no longer talking about winners and losers. We are all losers," she said.

One of the ironies of the divisive topic of skyscrapers is that while their viewing galleries offer visitors such breathtaking vistas of London, these views are so good precisely because being in a tall building means that you cannot see its sometimes questionable impact on the skyline.