Ealing urged to reject Penny Whistle tower

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The Government's advisory body believes the centre of Ealing is the "wrong location" for the 469ft block of flats, nicknamed the Penny Whistle.

It is urging Ealing council to reject plans by developer Glenkerrin for the site currently occupied by the Arcadia shopping centre.

English Heritage's comments add to the confusion surrounding suburban skyscrapers. At present, tall buildings are largely confined to the City and Docklands. But last March, Mayor Ken Livingstone said they should be allowed to go up in more than 30 locations outside the city centre.

Rowan Moore, director of the Architecture Foundation, said: "Once again London's vague planning system is giving rise to a pointless and expensive debate. Is it okay to build towers in suburbs? Yes. But how big is too big? It is up to the Mayor to give a lead, which he has failed to do."

The Ealing skyscraper, which would be the centrepiece of a multi-million-pound development, was designed by Gherkin architect Norman Foster.

English Heritage said: "Both the tower and mid-rise elements would be out of keeping with the scale of Ealing town centre.

"It is considered that this is the wrong location for a development of this scale."

Ealing council expects to decide on the application next month.