�Controversial plans to build a huge student tower block next to the Emirates Stadium have been rejected by the council.

Arsenal submitted a planning application for the development in Hornsey Road, Holloway, through its developer Ashburton Trading Ltd.

The 78-metre high skyscraper included 450 rooms for students from various city universities.

The design was to feature the Arsenal red and white colours, similar to the nearby Ashburton Triangle residential block, along with a curved roof and scuplted corners.

Under delegated authority, Islington Council officers refused the scheme saying its height, bulk, scale and appearance was not in line with the adopted policy on tall buildings.

Resident Daniel Burt, an architect of Hornsey Road who mounted a campaign against the development, said: “The height was just completely out of character with the local area. It would have dwarfed the stadium which is just ridiculous. This is a fantastic result but we obviously fear there may some kind of appeal.”

Victory

Caroline Russell, of Islington Green Party, said: “It is a victory for common sense and should be applauded that planning permission has been refused for the over-blown Arsenal tower block. However history suggests that Arsenal will just be uslng this as a marker and will be submitting a marginally smaller proposal before long, claiming they have listened to planners’ concerns.”

The developers would have also funded work to refurbish railway arches and create a new pedestrian route.

Cllr Paul Convery, Islington Council’s executive member for planning and regeneration, said: “All planning applications are very carefully considered but this one is just wrong. It would tower over local housing, and be taller than the Emirates Stadium or London Met buildings in Holloway Road.”

A spokesman for Arsenal said: “We have been informed about the decision to refuse planning permission for the scheme and will be considering our options moving forward.”