A campaign has been launched to stop the demolition of a number of “medieval” trees and a historic house in Streatham Hill to make way for a block of flats.
Heritage campaigners want to save the architecturally significant Clinton House in Palace Road, the former home of multi-million selling author Dennis Wheatley.
A planning application has been submitted by developers the Abode Partnership to knock the down the 117-year-old mansion and build a five storey apartment block containing 33 flats.
It argues the house has fallen into disrepair in recent years, and has been subjected to numerous attacks by vandals, thieves and squatters, and the site would be rejuvenated by the development.
But Anthony Crawford, from the Heritage Property Consortium, said it would see one of the last properties of its type in the borough destroyed.
He also said the loss of the trees lining the property, which is opposite the Grade I listed Christ Church in Christchurch Road, would see the flats “irreperrably devastate” the vista of the historic church.
Residents of Palace Road have complained the sewage system is unable to take the pressure put on it buy the scale of property development in the area, and further flats would add to a problem that saw major flooding in June when a water main burst.
Questions have also been raise about a lack of parking.
Mr Crawford said his consortium was willing to buy the property from the developers in order to save it.
But a spokesman for Abode Partnership said the application was submitted after more than 18 months detailed design work, in which both Lambeth Council planning officers and residents had input.
He said many residents welcomed plans to improve the site, and trees with preservation orders would be kept. The new building was designed to respect its location near the church, he added.
A council spokesman said while it appreciated arguably the building could be of historic interest, there was no planning control or legal say over whether it can be demolished or not as it is neither a listed building nor in a conservation area.
The application is currently being considered by the council planning department, and is expected to be sent for a decision by a planning committee.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here