A controversial scheme for more than 800 homes towering over General Gordon Square in Woolwich is set to be thrown out by councillors.

Meyer Homes’ vision for a 27-storey tower block near Tesco was set to be rejected earlier this year – shortly before a legal challenge pushed back the decision.

The developer submitted new information and threatened a legal campaign should the council have proceeded with making a decision in March.

At the time council leader Dan Thorpe, then deputy leader, said the developer had  “delayed the democratic process at the 11th hour”, dubbing its behaviour “appalling”.

Planners at the council have again recommended the tower block be rejected at a planning meeting next week.

According to council documents, officers said: “The proposed height, scale and sitting at the south western corner of General Gordon Square of the 27 storey Phase 3 tower would be an incongruous form of development, unacceptably dominating and overbearing to General Gordon Square and the surrounding townscape and Woolwich town centre.”

Planners said the building would “result in an undue increase in the urbanisation of the skyline” and fail to provide “quality accommodation” for occupants.

The council has received more than 220 objections to the plans, not including a petition by resident lobby group Speak Out Woolwich which has been backed by more than 1,500 signatures.

Meyer Homes’ plan is its latest for Woolwich town centre, and proposes three buildings between nine and 16 storeys as well as a 27-storey centrepiece.

The developer has two offers of affordable housing, either 17 per cent London affordable rent and six per cent shared ownership, or 13 per cent London affordable rent and 19 per cent shared ownership.

These proposals would leave 77 per cent or 68 per cent of the development as being for the private market.

Officers said there is an insufficient amount of on-site affordable housing, pointing out that there are no socially rented units.

MP Matthew Pennycook, as well as all three ward councillors, have objected to the proposals.

The scheme is part of a larger project that was granted permission in 2007, including the development of Tesco.

Councillors will be debate the application at a meeting next Wednesday, November 21.