A Kingston MP has come out against a controversial high-rise block of flats proposed for the town centre two days before the application will be decided on by Kingston Council.

In a letter addressed to the development control committee Richmond Park and North Kingston MP Zac Goldsmith has urged the council to reject plans for a 16-storey residential building at the old post office site in Ashdown Road.

The Conservative London Mayoral hopeful says the council should get “a better deal for the community” lamenting the lack of affordable housing and “inappropriate” design in developers St George’s proposal.

He said: “The height is still, in my view, disproportionate but I appreciate that the Kingston College building next door is the same height.

“However the new designs are no less inappropriate for the area and seem not to have taken into account the context in which the new buildings will be sited.

“I don’t think anyone can pretend the proposed design demonstrates any respect on the part of the developer for the rich heritage of Kingston town centre’s built environment.”

Mr Goldsmith also says that the number of affordable homes earmarked for the project is “not acceptable”.

St George has estimated 5.6 per cent of the 338 flats will be affordable - down almost 10 per cent from the plans it submitted for a 19-storey building in June.

This is the third time plans for a high-rise on the old post office site have been submitted to the council.

Previous planning applications for the building had been 21 storeys and 19 storeys before 16 levels were proposed in early October.

The current plan includes a restaurant, office and community space plus 132 parking spots.

Surrey Comet:

A poster created by Kingston Residents' Alliance ahead of the development control committee meeting

Mr Goldsmith said: “Like elsewhere in London, Kingston struggles with a severe shortage of affordable homes, and a development of this size should contribute far more.

“I would urge the local authority to do all it can to secure a better deal for the community.”

The plans are being decided during the development control committee in the Guildhall, High Street at 7.30pm on Thursday, November 5. The public can attend.