A Tolworth resident has launched a campaign to crowdfund a judicial review into Kingston Council’s decision to permit re-development of the Tolworth Tower site.

Developer CNM Estates was given the green light on January 12 to install four new high-rise blocks of more than 300 new homes in Tolworth Broadway.

The building currently houses the Broadway Bar, Garner’s funeral directors, Costa coffee shop and Boots. These could be knocked down to be replaced with largely residential buildings.

Tolworth Action Group (TAG), created by Michael Mercer of Hamilton Avenue, wants to fight the "dark cloud looming over Tolworth" by challenging the lawfulness of the decision to permit the Tolworth Tower development.

Founding member and Tolworth resident Mr Mercer, 74, said: "TAG believes that we live in a suburban community and that all development proposals should conform to that brief.

"We do not want poor quality, over-populated tower blocks. We want good quality, low density housing with appropriate green spaces and parking."

Judicial review costs vary, with a £350 cost to cover the application, and the group is asking for help with funding. If the money is raised and the matter goes to court, the lawfulness of the decision to approve the proposal will be reviewed.

Mr Mercer added: "This should be built in measured stages so that the incoming population can be incorporated properly and any ensuing problems ironed out.

"To this end we have taken legal advice and as a result of this, we are looking for support to fund a judicial review of the current proposal for Tolworth Towers."

CNM Estates chairman Wahid Samady said "due process has been followed to the T" and added: "We support everybody's rights under the national planning rules and if TAG feel that are ground for a judicial review then we would respond appropriately."

Councillors Tom Davies, of the Liberal Democrats, and Chris Hayes, Ian George and Richard Hudson, Conservatives, have backed the campaign.

Cllr Davies said: "The battle against over-development in Tolworth is nearly as old as me. The Tolworth Tower plans shockingly passed by Kingston Council were another example of over-dense, inappropriate plans for Tolworth."

Cllr Hudson said: "I will be personally donating £50 to the cause aimed at righting this wrong."