A petition calling on London Mayor Boris Johnson to overturn the controversial decision to build four new tower blocks in Tolworth has been set up.

Objectors responded with stunned silence when Kingston Council’s development control committee approved the high-rises next to Tolworth Tower during Tuesday’s meeting.

The decision to approve the application passed by seven votes to four.

Despite building work already starting on the project that will bring more than 300 new homes to the Broadway, Kingston’s Liberal Democrats insist the fight is not over yet.

They have set up a petition to call on the London mayor to overturn the decision.

Tolworth Councillor Thay Thayalan said: Liberal Democrat councillors voted against the plans because of the lack of affordable housing, the effect on traffic, air quality and local services.

“But we will now take the fight to Mayor of London who has the power to overturn this bad decision."

Berrylands councillor Mike Head, who voted in favour of the plans, said: “We could only vote on what was in front of us. 

“This has been going on for some time and the developers have gone away and come back after listening to us and residents. 

“I had a long, hard think about this and I know there is some opposition and I get that.

“But in the bigger scheme of things the committee decided that this should be approved.”

Kingston Lib Dem leader Liz Green said: “This does not bode well for the excessive developments due to be decided in next few months.

“I, for one, don't want to live in a Croydonesque town. We'll need to get even more residents involved if Kingston is to provide new homes in the way most residents want."

Conservative councillor Richard Hudson stepped down as chair of the develop control committee for Tolworth Tower meetings after he started the Tolworth Deserves Better campaign against the expansion.

Kingston and Surbiton MP James Berry also came out against the plans and urged councillors to vote against them.

In a letter to committee members last week he wrote: “I do not like tower blocks. I wish that Tolworth Tower had never been built.

“I do not support the erection of buildings that include 12, 15 and 19 storey tower blocks. Whether or not tall buildings of this nature are in keeping with Tolworth Tower, they are totally out of character with the vast majority of surrounding properties.”

CNM Estates chairman Wahid Samady said: We are going to re-establish this building as a 21st century hub for Tolworth.

"The future of Tolworth is driven by bringing consumer spending to Tolworth so we can keep the Broadway."