The proposed tower development is planned to be built on three levels, ranging from 14 storeys to 28 storeys and would include 46 new homes, offices, shops and restaurants. Of the homes, 12 would be made available for affordable housing.
"We support the principle of a tall building of the height proposed to help generate a more variegated skyline on this part of the Embankment," said the Design Council CABE. "The scheme has the makings of a successful urban tower."
In response to concerns over the impact of the height of the building on the London skyline, St James said that it had given "careful consideration" to the impact of the development on "key strategic views and the setting of the Palace of Westminster".
"The massing strategy has been developed to respond to the buildings adjacent to the site and the aspiration of the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area Planning Framework to have a 'varied skyline'," it said.
The Design Council CABE welcomed the improvements to public realm but called upon Lambeth Council to ensure that the spaces "perform convincingly as a piece" and to ensure the works were of a high quality. The Design Council CABE also said that further thought should be given to the design of the scheme "to ensure it can respond to the advent of more active uses in the future".
"Given the high profile and local impact of tall buildings, we note that proposals should exceed the latest regulations and planning policies for minimising energy use and reducing carbon emissions over the lifetime of the development," said the Design Council CABE. "We welcome the design team's efforts to produce a highly energy efficient building through passive design features and the use of gas fired CHP [combined heat and power]."
"The success of the scheme will be dependent on the quality of materials and detailing which needs to be maintained through the planning process to construction. We would ask the local authority to condition these as appropriate," it said.
Subject to planning permission being granted by the London Borough of Lambeth, St James hopes to start construction of the development next summer.
