Foster designs 'penny whistle' for the suburbs

This shining new 40-storey skyscraper, designed by Gherkin architect Lord Foster, is the centre-piece of a multi-million-pound redevelopment in Ealing.

The 143-metre block of flats, revealed for the first time today, has already been nicknamed the "penny whistle" because of its distinctive shape.

It is higher than St Paul's Cathedral or Centre Point and would be one of the tallest buildings for miles around if Irish developer Glenkerrin UK wins permission for the scheme.

The company plans to transform a 4.2 acre site, currently occupied by the Arcadia shopping centre near to Ealing Broadway station.

Glenkerrin chief executive Ray Grehan said today: "Our desire is to see Ealing regain its title as 'The Queen of Suburbs'."

The developer is proposing to provide no more than 15 per cent affordable homes. Mayor Ken Livingstone usually requires 50 per cent of new homes in large developments to be earmarked for workers on low incomes.

The plan also includes a new shopping centre with restaurants and cafés. Apart from the tower, the scheme has been designed by architect HKR.

Ealing council is consulting residents and those who work in the area and expects to make a decision on the application early next year.

London's skyscrapers have traditionally been restricted to central London, particularly in Docklands and the City.

But in March, Mr Livingstone decided that skyscrapers should be allowed, singly or in clusters, to be built in more than 30 suburban locations across London. So far, councils have reacted conservatively to the prospect of tall buildings in outer London.

Kensington and Chelsea council rejected a tower proposed by Tesco because of its unacceptable impact. In July, Sidcup rejected a tower plan for being "totally out of scale".