A former Archbishop of Canterbury has opposed the building of a new skyscraper in London, saying it would have an "adverse effect” on a neighbouring church.

St Ethelberga’s sits alongside 22 Bishopsgate, under the shadow of the Gherkin skyscraper. Now, the City of London Corporation has drafted plans to build a new 54-story building at the site of 99 Bishopsgate, which would involve demolishing an entire office block.

The 800-year-old church is one of the only surviving medieval churches in the City of London, having survived both the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the Second World War. Then, in 1993, it was almost reduced to rubble when part of the building was destroyed by an IRA bomb.

Repair work on the building cost almost £350 million.

The new plans propose a public market hall, and six-storey cultural building with creative studio space at 99 Bishopsgate.

Former Archbishop Rowan Williams is a patron of the St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. In a letter of objection, he said: “Loss of natural light, building works over some five to six years, general adverse effect on the quiet and seclusion of the Centre, all combine to make this a wholly undesirable move.

“The crucial work of the Centre for reflection, conferences and meditation (especially its unique garden) will suffer severely.”

Final approval of the plans rests with the Mayor of London's office.