Fears have arisen that a 21-storey tower block could be built in the heart of New Malden, sparking campaigns from residents and politicians.

Developer CNM Estates allegedly met with the Grove and New Malden residents associations earlier this month, where they presented proposals to build the tower block near the train station in St George’s Square.

New Malden Residents' Association member Liz Meerabeau said she was “gobsmacked” by the scale of the building, which if built would tower over the already unpopular 16-storey CI Tower and opposite Apex Tower.

From August 2017: Kingston Council grilled over plans to redevelop New Malden's Cocks Crescent

From February 2016: APPROVED: 16 storey development on the old post office site in Kingston passed by councillors

She said: “We are quite often approached by developers and the public relations people for a meeting - this one we went along to.

“Personally I thought they would want to build something of a reasonable height. As soon as I saw the drawing I just thought ‘my God, it’s way over’.

“If it’s too tall it’s too tall. What happens now remains to be seen.”

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Kingston MP james Berry has come out against the plans

The proposals have yet to be officially presented to residents and are still at the concept stage, though are expected to involve a mixture of housing and retail facilities.

Little is said about the plans on CNM Estate’s website, other than the development would create a “dramatic and dynamic arrival point to the station”.

The rumours of proposals for a tower block has led Kingston MP James Berry to launch a campaign against its construction, which he says would “dominate” the skyline.

The campaign is supported by New Malden’s Conservative councillors.

Mr Berry said: “We recognise that Kingston is required to fulfil the London Mayor’s housebuilding target of 6,434 new homes by 2025, a target that is likely to increase, but a massive tower block is not the answer. 

“The proposed development, above Bar Malden, would be even taller than the 16 story CI tower and dominate New Malden’s skyline.”

Proposals to build a similarly sized tower block at the old post office site, in Kingston town centre, were met by fierce protests and declared “heritage damaging” by residents.

Numerous applications were refused before the developer was forced to reduce the height to 16 storeys.

Concerns regarding developments in New Malden are already rampant, with residents having protested Kingston Council’s draft planning document for Cocks Crescent.

The site, which the council hopes can become a “community hub” through housing, leisure and retail developments, could see as many as 520 homes built there.

At a question and answer session in August, council officers were grilled over whether the area’s schools and transport network could cope with an influx of new homes.

A spokesman for CNM Estates said: “We are still considering our proposals for St. Georges Court and will be looking to consult the public on the proposals to regenerate and improve the site, station access and St. Georges Square in the coming months."