The Mayor of London has given the final go ahead for the controversial Greenwich cruise liner terminal despite massive opposition.

Boris Johnson gave the Enderby Wharf port the green light despite residents and community groups urging him to use his powers to reverse planning approval due to concerns over air pollution.

Billed as London’s first passenger cruise terminal, it will bring up to 55 cruise ships to the capital each year and is due to be up and running by 2017.

On July 21, Greenwich Council planning board gave the thumbs up to the development, which will also include 477 homes, a skills academy, eateries and shops.

London’s deputy mayor for planning, Sir Edward Lister, said: “We have worked with the local authority and the developer to ensure the new terminal and surrounding infrastructure will meet the needs of thousands of tourists coming to the city each year.

“It will provide a major boost to tourism, benefit the local economy and further contribute to London’s status as a world leading city.”

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group said: “The decision by Greenwich Council and now the Mayor of London to reject using off shore power for this planning application is highly regrettable.

“In years to come I believe people will look back in amazement at the foolish decision by Greenwich Council and the Mayor of London to give the go ahead to a cruise liner operating in a such a polluting way when far less polluting alternatives are available for powering cruise ships when berthed.”

The London Mayor’s office carried out a study of the impact of emissions using independent air quality consultancy, Amec, which recognised there could be “some moderate adverse impact on occasion.”

£400,000 has been put aside for environmental monitoring and improving air quality as part of Greenwich Council’s Air Quality Action Plan.

A low emissions transport scheme will also be introduced to try to minimise construction and operational traffic.

Planning permission was first granted in 2012 for the passenger terminal site but the proposals were updated after European legislation changed requiring cruise ships to stay in London for longer periods.