High-rise go-ahead

Despite opposition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the Czech Government has given the go-ahead to a series of high-rise buildings in the capital Prague.

In a statement to local press, culture ministry spokeswoman Marcela Zizkova said the development in the Pankrac district of Prague would "not frustrate" the city's status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Pankric district lies within the protected zone of Prague's heritage reserve and UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has expressed "serious concern" over the planned high-rise development. It has asked the Government to submit a report on the planned construction by February 1, 2008.

However, the developer, ECM, said the ministry's decision can not be reversed and it hopes to start construction soon. The development has been in dispute since 1999.