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Boris Johnson this week overruled the Town Hall and granted planning permission for four office blocks – including one 11 storeys high – overlooking historic Bunhill Fields.

He said they would provide much-needed space for the growing tech sector in the area.

Islington Council argued that demolishing Monmouth House and putting up the new buildings would cause “significant harm” to the grade I-listed park, classed as a “garden of special historic interest”.

As reported by the Tribune last week, Labour peer Lord Griffiths, the superintendent minister of Wesley’s Chapel, which is opposite the graveyard, opposed Mr Johnson’s intervention, as did the Ancient Monument Society and the Blake Society.

The mayor told a meeting at City Hall on Monday: “The experience of people sitting in Bunhill Fields – the city workers having their sandwiches and so on – will not be damaged or suffer any particular disadvantage to their views or sense of peace and tranquillity in this oasis.”

Mr Johnson agreed with Historic England, which said the blocks could improve the park’s setting.

But Blake Society chairman Tim Heath said: “London is a city of the dead as well as the living and we speak to both of them. Bunhill Fields has a vital place in London’s living history and this will be putting in the shade something which is perhaps more important than office blocks.

“Boris Johnson is a classical scholar but this is taking a short-term view for London. Yes, it must always rebuild but there have to be certain key points that anchor us to our past.”

Islington Council housing chief Councillor James Murray said: “We’re very disappointed that for the third time in three years the Mayor has taken away decision-making powers from the council and ignored local concerns.

“We’d like to thank residents and heritage organisations for their support throughout this process.”