Thames Valley Police, Network Rail and a neighbouring council have officially objected to the development of the three tower blocks that would soar 97m into the Reading skyline and have been likened to North Korea.

Former Blue Peter presenter, Sky Sports anchor and Caversham resident Simon Thomas has been spearheading the move to prevent the 28, 26 and 24 storey buildings getting the go ahead.

Thames Valley Police has submitted an eight-page dossier outlining the force’s opposition to the proposals to replace the Cooper BMW garage in Napier Road.

Police fears include hidden walkways and its proximity to the railway line.

Anne Chalmers, crime prevention and design advisor, said: “From the plans provided, I cannot identify why pedestrian access would be required between the secluded southern face of the building and the railway embankment or where this access legitimately leads to.

“The access may provide opportunity for individuals to move freely unobserved (an escape route) increasing the risk of anti-social behaviour, crime and fear of crime.”

Former Blue Peter presenter, Mr Thomas, said he not only objected to the size of the development and the fact there were only 118 parking spaces for the 352 homes, but was so outraged that residents in the area had been not told about the development he began to leaflet neighbours himself.

He said: “There was a lady who lives on Heron Island who received my leaflet and she thought the whole thing was a wind-up. She was almost in tears when I told her it was real.

“A few yellow signs around the BMW garage are not enough to inform people of something of this size.

“My main worry was that the first time people will know anything about it is when the cranes turn up in a few weeks if it gets approved.”

A Reading Borough Council spokesman said writing to affected residents would have been “prohibitively expensive” as the towers would be visible for miles around.

Mr Thomas feared that the estimated boom in property value when Crossrail is completed may lead to rush decisions by planners.

He added: “The impression I got from speaking to local people is that the pressure from elsewhere is going to be too much to stop these things from happening.

“I think truth be known Reading is under pressure to provide more houses and they are being pushed on a tiny space of land to put three whopping great towers.

“There has to be a better answer then just launching great big building into the sky.”

Caversham Globe has also objected to the development stating: “A Hideous design, not suited to Reading or the UK — it looks more like buildings in North Korea”.

Network Rail said access to the rail line will be hampered and South Oxfordshire District Council said the size of the building would impact on their residents.

Thames Water said it would have to increase water availability to supply the towers.

A spokesman for Reading Borough Council said elicit more feedback the consultation period had been extended right up until the planning applications committee meets to make a decision on April 29.