Seville is famed for its imposing cathedral and whitewashed streets but the Spanish city may lose its UN World Heritage status because of a new 41-storey skyscraper.

The 178-metre high, oval-shaped building, still under construction, will house the offices of savings bank Cajasol when completed next year.

It was designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli, who is responsible for some of the world’s tallest buildings, including the Petronas Towers which dominate the skyline of Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Pelli’s office boasts the new skyscraper “will define the skyline of Seville”.

But that is a prospect that dismays UNESCO which since July has called in vain for work on the project to be stopped.

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