BBC NewsDerby City Council's planning committee has approved proposals to revamp the Derbion shopping centre and the surrounding area.
The heritage watchdog warned the plans, proposed by shopping centre owner Derbion, would be "harmful" to the city's heritage assets with the tall buildings affecting the views from the southern end of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. Other councillors said the scheme was exciting for the city as seven out of 10 voted in favour of the plans.
Committee member Martin Rawson said: "I am very much in favour of this application. I think it is a wonderful opportunity to regenerate this area of the city centre which has become quite run down."