A community group has raised more than £16,000 to continue fighting against the building of a 90-metre residential tower next to West Ealing station.

Stop the Tower is a group of residents' associations and businesses from Ealing opposing the over-development of suburban areas.

Its focus has been the construction of multi-storey buildings on Manor Road and Hastings Road. The tallest of the developments would be twice the height of any building in the surrounding area, equalling the height of the Statue of Liberty.

Stop the Tower co-chair Justine Sulivan said: “No one's against development, we're not resisting change, the system has been abused.

“The really beautiful thing about Ealing is that it’s a place where you don't have to leave London. It's got greenery, it's got houses, it's got families and it's got community, some people move here for that reason."

In October 2020 the group was victorious against Southern Grove’s plans to build 55 West, two blocks of high-rise homes on Manor Road.

The developers will appeal against Ealing planning committee’s decision in July, so the group is seeking help from the public to raise funds to employ barristers to continue their campaign.

Along with fundraising the group has distributed more than 10,000 flyers and gained more than 3,000 members since it started in 2019.

Stop the Tower’s main objection to the projects, other than the sheer scale of the new buildings, is that no flats will be available to the 12,000 people on Ealing’s housing register.

The group is worried that if approved this will open the flood gates to more developments around Ealing that will ruin the character of the borough.

Sulivan added: “They didn't expect a huge amount of local opposition, because they didn't consult with the locals, the community or the residents.

“We have always been genuinely really excited about what’s going to be on Manor Road, then suddenly you get this huge 26 storey tower.

“How many of the 2500 genuinely affordable homes will actually be built? You'll probably find is not that many.

“It's not actually affordable housing, it costs £750,000 for three-bedroom flat, that's not affordable for a nurse or teacher.

“Ealing needs its own independent Design Review Panel, not a handpicked one, it needs one an independent one that can scrutinise all developments.”

Southern Grove said following a three-year consultation with residents they reduced the height of the scheme by over 25% to 19 storeys. 

The developers added that 55 West will be 100% affordable housing in partnership with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association. 

Southern Grove insisted it is working with Ealing council to identify residents on the housing waiting list to occupy the new development.

Metres away from Manor Road, there is another plan is to demolish Ealing Council’s current office and build 144 affordable homes at London living rent.

On 29 March construction plans for Perceval House on Uxbridge Road were approved to the dismay of the community group and Ealing Central & Acton MP Rupa Huq.

Dr Huq said this would seriously impact elderly residents in Apsley House near the town hall.

Demolition of Perceval House could start as early as December this year.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “As the planning application is subject to appeal and a public enquiry, starting on 13 July, at which the council will be providing evidence, we are unable to comment as we wouldn’t wish to prejudice the outcome of that enquiry.”

Southern Grove Developers were contacted and have declined to comment.

Stop the Tower urges residents from the borough to join the cause and donate to its Go Fund Me page.