A DEVELOPER discussed its plans to build a skyscraper in Ealing with residents at a packed meeting yesterday.

Glenkerrin, developers of a new 40-storey building at the Arcadia Centre, in Ealing Broadway, consulted local residents about the project at the Town Hall, in Uxbridge Road.

Joan Walker, 70, of Woodfield Road, Ealing, who lived through World War II, attended the meeting.

She said: "This is as important as Hitler bombing London.

"Most of the city is a slum at the moment and then you step out into Ealing and it's different. This project is of course totally destroying the area."

Save Ealing's Centre, a coalition of residents and community groups, has been formed to fight the project.

Marion Hardman, spokesman for Glenkerrin, said: "We are encouraged by the level of support which is emerging for our proposals as more people realise the enormous benefits the redevelopment will bring to Ealing, from both the business community and local residents.

"We were always aware that there would be opposition and we are very keen to listen to the views of everyone, which is why we will be launching our third public exhibition for The Leaf development scheme at the Arcadia centre on Monday, December 3, to ensure the people of Ealing get an opportunity to form an objective view of our proposals"

Sixty thousand letters have been sent out to residents as part of the consultation process.