A huge development which includes a soaring 36 storey skyscraper on the site of a historic brewery looks set to be given the green light.

The controversial planning application for the Ram Brewery site in Wandsworth Town compromises housing, shops and leisure facilities.

A total of 661 new flats are to be built in the site, as well as a homage to the site's history with a micro-brewery and brewing museum.

Grade II and II* listed brewery buildings, including a former pub, would be retained and refurbished under the scheme.

Wandsworth Council's planning committee are expected to give the green light to the development at a meeting tonight after planning officers recommended its approval.

Concerns have been raised about the impact the tower will have on the historic site, which includes listed buildings within the town centre conservation area.

A planning document said 7,000 households were consulted about the proposal, while public exhibitions took place in November last year.

It said: "Regeneration of Wandsworth town centre was the greatest benefit identified by respondents, with 97.6 per cent of respondents rating it as an important or very important benefit, and in a similar vein attracting high quality shops and restaurants also received a lot of support."

About 260 people have submitted objections on the council website, including comments from all of Wandsworth's amenity societies.

An original planning application, given permission in 2008, included two towers, 1,000 apartments and 200,000 square feet of retail space,

But a government appointed planning inspector turned it down in February 2009, with developers Minerva revising the plans to include only one tower.

Philip Whyte, chairman of the Wandsworth Society, said the tower is more than seven times higher than the council's own planning policy for tall buildings.

Section 3.13 of the council's own site specific allocation document said: "the site is sensitive to tall buildings" and the height at which a development will be considered to be tall is five storeys.

He said: "The main objections for us is the 36 storey tower, the massing and the scale of the scheme as well, and the effect of the heritage assets."

The group also claims images submitted by Minerva do not give a true impression of the scale of the tower and created their own impressions.

Further objections were submitted by the Clapham Junction Action Group, Wandsworth Access Association and Wandle Valley Forum.

A letter from English Heritage said: "No alterations have been made to the proposed 36-storey tower in these amended  proposals and, as proposed, the tower will harm the significance of the Grade II* listed

All Saints Church and Church Row by adversely affecting their setting."

Labour Councillor Tony Belton, who raised concerns when he was leader of the opposition party, said the revised version is better than having two towers.

He said: "There is still not enough affordable housing from our perspective.

"We have got too many tower blocks in London. 

"I think this one comes up above smaller rural views from the common. I think that is most unfair."

A planning committee is expected to vote on the proposals at Wandsworth Town Hall tonight.