The landlord behind the property, Women’s Pioneering Housing (WPH) said examples of specific modifications include deeper balconies, lower kitchen work surfaces, and special ventilation systems which aim to provide comfort to menopausal women.

It added that the 15-storey tower in Ealing would offer homes for low rents to women who face inequality, abuse, and disadvantages in the housing market.

Furthermore,the Guardian reported tenants are likely to include victims of domestic abuse and black and minority ethnic women who face a significant pay gap.

According to the WPH, men will only be able to live in the tower block if they become a tenant’s partner. The only way a solo tenant could be male is if they are the adult child of a female tenant and inherit the tenancy.

Transgender women will be able to live in the block too, including those who have not yet undergone gender reassignment surgery.

However, men who cross-dress, transgender men, or anyone with a known history of male violence against women or children will not be allowed inside the property.

One woman who lives at a WPH property said the benefit of the scheme was “security.” She added: “We’re not dealing with different types of people moving up and down [the stairs] all the time. I feel comfortable because I am around women only.”

Another tenant also said they felt the benefit of the extra safety measures. Despite this, the plans have been controversial.

Some current tenants could find themselves living elsewhere before moving back to the tower. Several legal cases are underway with the disagreements emerging after arguments over rehousing according to the tenants.

Ealing locals have expressed their concerns about the plans. One local said the development will “put the women at risk” and that “single women would find a high-rise very unpleasant”.

However, director of GRID architects Colin Veitch, said: “It’s a very 1950s attitude that if a woman goes up three flights of stairs they might faint. It’s ridiculous.”

The scheme has received support from people who say the housing association has helped them. Responding to the planning consultation, one said: “WPH rescued me from abusive and controlling relationships. Without this housing, women like me face an almost impossible challenge.”

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WPH’s chief executive, Tracey Downie, added the idea was to create homes where people could rebuild their lives.

Speaking to MyLondon, Corinna Stowell, Secretary of the Mill Hill Park Resident’s Association, said: “’Although the proposed development would have little visual impact on the Mill Hill Park Conservation Area itself, we believe it would have a significant adverse visual effect on both Gunnersbury Lane and the area surrounding Acton Town Tube Station.”

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