Felicity Kendal among furious Chelsea residents objecting to ‘silly’ 34-storey Battersea residential tower block set to be built along stretch of Thames untouched by high-rise properties

The sitcom star of Good Life Felicity Kendal has joined a residents’ revolt against plans for a new 38-storey tower block high above the Thames.

The actress is among locals objecting to the proposed new 34-storey development in Battersea, south Londonwhat she has called a “silly joke” of a plan.

The new estate, on the 134-year-old Battersea Bridge, has sparked opposition from people who insist the area was previously untouched by high-rise buildings.

Kendal, 77, has asked Wandsworth council in dismay: ‘Who on earth would think building such a huge tower near this bridge was a good idea?’

Other local celebrities objecting include rock star Eric Clapton, who owns a house in nearby Chelsea.

Good Life actress Felicity Kendal, seen here last Tuesday at a performance of Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge in London, has objected to the Battersea Bridge development

Local opponents have sent hundreds of letters of protest to the local Wandsworth Council, which is considering whether to grant permission for the proposed tower block.

The new 199 meter high building, on the site of a building called the Glassmill, which was due to be demolished as part of the plans, has been proposed by Promonttoria Battersea.

The company is a subsidiary of US investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, led by billionaire Donald Trump ally Stephen Feinberg.

It is claimed that the tower is even taller than lofty London landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Center Point and neighboring Battersea Power Station.

But local opponents have sent hundreds of letters of protest to Wandsworth Council, which is considering whether to grant permission.

Kendal, whose other TV appearances include as a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2010, said: ‘When I first saw the plan for this development I thought it must be some kind of lame joke.

“But it’s clearly not a joke, so I support the campaign.”

The actress, who has lived in Chelsea since 1991, added: ‘I have loved this stretch of the river for decades.

‘It’s beautiful and relatively untouched by high-rise buildings compared to elsewhere. Much of London’s riverfront has been destroyed by large apartment tower blocks.

A request for exploratory advice has been submitted for the scheme at 1 Battersea Bridge Road

The project involves the demolition of the six-storey Glassmill building next to the river

“This part should be protected and not simply handed over to foreign investors to make a lot of money for themselves.

“This entire plan is completely wrong and must be rejected. It just shouldn’t happen.’

More than 1,000 people have now signed a Change.org petition opposing Chelsea resident and writer Rob McGibbon’s proposals.

He said: ‘One Battersea Bridge is a monstrous development.

‘The power of local opposition is very strong and united.’

Developers say the project will deliver a much-needed 142 homes, including 45 ‘affordable’ properties, as well as offices and community space.

A spokesperson said: ‘The scheme has been designed by world-renowned architect Farrells and includes 100 per cent affordable office space, a new community center for local charities and public realm improvements to revitalize this under-utilised site.’

No formal planning application has yet been submitted, but a scoping opinion has been requested from the local government.

Felicity Kendal starred alongside Richard Briers in the 1970s BBC sitcom The Good Life

Developers behind the new Battersea proposals say they would provide a much-needed 142 homes, including 45 ‘affordable’ properties, as well as offices and community space

No formal planning application has yet been submitted to Wandsworth Council in London

That bid has suggested that the height and massing of the planned block had not yet been finalized, but that the building was expected to reach a maximum height of 38 storeys.

The consultation in the council about the latest plans will run until next Thursday.

It comes as think tank New London Architecture released a report detailing how 270 high-rise buildings of at least 20 floors have been built in London over the past decade.

A further 583 are in various stages of planning, largely around the City of London and Canary Wharf, the organization said.