Richmond and north Kingston MP Zac Goldsmith has attacked proposals for a high-rise development – but it is not one in Kingston, writes Beena Nadem.

The Conservative London mayoral hopeful has spoken out over a 16-storey sky-scraper in Purley.

Mr Goldsmith expressed his opposition in a letter to Croydon Council leader Councillor Tony Newman. He described the tower as “clearly oversized” and said it would “utterly dominate the area”.

But his comments have angered some Kingston residents who have asked why he has not been quite so vocal about proposed high-rise development in his own borough.

Andree Frieze, of Kingston Residents’ Alliance, said: “It seems that Mayoral hopeful Zac Goldsmith cares more for the opinions of residents in his would-be constituency of Purley than those of his actual constituents in Richmond Park.

“Clearly, Zac Goldsmith will support Tories in their battles, but not residents with theirs.”

Kingston and Surbiton MP James Berry is the political representative for this part of the constituency according to ward boundaries and has previously spoken out against high-rise developments.

Surrey Comet:

Plans for Eden Walk, from June 2015

But Mr Goldsmith tweeted the group back this week and said: “I have had numerous conversations with the council about this, and our views are known.”

He added he would study any plans submitted for the borough and said: “My starting point is a very strong preference for in-keeping high-density low rise.”

KRA had previously protested against a 19-storey tower block at the old post office site in Ashdown Road before this application was withdrawn and taken back to the drawing board by developer St George.

The alliance is now set to tackle plans for the town centre’s biggest proposed tower yet at 63.1m and again 19 storeys.

The Eden Walk General Partnership, a joint venture between British Land and Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), will submit a planning application for 400 flats in Eden Walk in the autumn.

Kingston Council leader Councillor Kevin Davis said: “It is all about quality of design and material.

“I don’t think we can blanket all tall buildings as wrong because some are very nice.”

Mr Goldsmith said: “Proposals for the Old Post Office site have been withdrawn, and when they come back I hope they will have taken on board local concerns, which the Council knows I share. Other applications for high rise in Kingston are yet to be submitted. If they are inappropriate for our area, I will object as I always do.”

“My starting point is a strong preference for more traditional high density low-rise development, in keeping with the area. We need more homes but it’s crucial that new developments enhance, rather than undermine communities.”