MP Jeremy Corbyn has added his weight to the groundswell of opposition towards Arsenal’s plans to build a massive tower block overlooking the Emirates Stadium.

The MP for Islington North this week voiced concerns after the club was granted permission to build the 25-storey skyscraper in Hornsey Road, Holloway.

Islington Council refused plans for the student development last August but that decision was overruled on October 5 after Arsenal appealed to the planning inspectorate.

Mr Corbyn said: “I am very disappointed at the inspector’s decision. It is simply too big and the priority need is for housing for desperately overcrowded families and this development is of no help to that at all.

“It is a shame because the site could have been developed in a much more imaginative and suitable way, it is an area of real potential but to stick a big block there will not enhance it at all.”

The tower will be 78 metres tall and host 400 students bedrooms. More than 100 people had objected to the plans and residents fear it will wreck the character of their neighbourhood.

A spokesman for Islington Council said: “The council is very disappointed with the inspector’s decision, which we do not believe gives sufficient weight to the council’s policies.

“We are considering the implications of the inspector’s decision.”