The developer behind a proposed 27-storey tower in Hounslow town centre today said its plans would create 1,000 jobs for local workers.

Barratt Developments wants to build hundreds of homes in the car park opposite ASDA, along with shops, restaurants and a multiplex cinema.

A select group of local residents and other stakeholders were last night given a sneak preview of the plans, which remain at an early stage, and the reaction so far appears to be mixed.

The developer plans to hold a public exhibition in September and to submit a planning application next spring. Should all go to plan the work would begin in 2016 and be completed by 2018.

A spokesman for the developer today said its proposals would bring 'a number of benefits' to the town centre, including:

* a high-quality landmark scheme to put Hounslow on the map

* circa 1,000 new jobs created for local workers

* play and performance space in the town centre

A Hounslow Council spokesman said: "The council is supportive of Barratt’s proposals which they have developed since last November, when Barratt were selected. We believe that this refinement brings additional benefits to the scheme and to the wider town centre.

"The additional housing will bring more affordable homes and will help to fund more underground car parking, making the best use of valuable town centre space both now and in the future.

"This further work will help to ensure that the scheme is designed to suit Hounslow’s needs with a good mix of new shops, restaurants, public space and a cinema.

"The architecture of the scheme is extremely high-quality and will help the Council’s ambition to bring prosperity to the borough and create a vibrant town-centre."

Trevor Timpson, president of Hounslow Central Residents Association, has questioned why there was no mention of a 27-storey 'skyscraper' when the developer was selected by the council last November.

"I'm worried we may see more alterations along the way, as happened with the Blenheim Centre (the building containing ASDA and hundreds of flats)," he said.

He also questioned whether the height of the proposed tower would represent a risk to planes approaching Heathrow.

The Treaty Centre in Hounslow this week announced the new Next clothes store, due to open at the shopping complex in time for Christmas, would create 36 jobs.