'Ram towers' to alter southside skyline

This is the first image of the twin towers that could dramatically change the skyline of south London.

Developer Minerva wants to build residential skyscrapers of 39 and 29 storeys on the 16.5-acre site of the Young's Ram brewery in Wandsworth, which it bought for £69 million in August last year.

The proposal has met with massive local opposition.

Minerva is expected to make a planning application this month to build the towers as well as a low-rise development featuring 700 flats and shops and restaurants including cafés overlooking the river Wandle. The listed brewery buildings would be incorporated into the scheme.

Minerva describes its proposal as a "new urban quarter", recreating the attractions of Marylebone High Street and opening up the site to the public.

Critics say the scale of development in the heart of the Wandsworth conservation area is inappropriate and transport infrastructure would be overwhelmed. John Dawson, chairman of the Wandsworth Society, said: "We think the proposal constitutes a gross over-development of the site."

Minerva director Mark Cherry said: "These tall buildings are envisaged to become landmark structures for the borough."

Sue Roscoe Watts of the Town Centre Partnership, which represents local businesses, said: "People's perceptions of Wandsworth will change forever. It will be the smart new address south of the river."