ST. PETERSBURG — Gazprom said Monday that it has been cleared by authorities to build a tower in the historic heart of St. Petersburg despite a wide campaign to defend the city’s unique skyline.
“According to a conclusion by [the state appraisals department] GlavGos-
Expertiza, the project’s documentation complies with all requirements and standards,” a Gazprom unit in charge of the construction said in a statement.
UNESCO said earlier that it could exclude St. Petersburg from its list of world heritage sites if the tower is built.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2011 and finish in 2016.
(Reuters)