The fight to have an unsightly structure ripped down in Streatham Hill is to be decided by government planning inspectors.

Sternhold Avenue residents have been fighting for four years to have Southern Rail take down parts of a 300m cleaning and maintenance depot, built without permission by the rail operator close to Streatham Hill station.

In April, Lambeth Council decided to take the rail company through the courts arguing the structures - built without planning permission - were unlawful.

It handed an enforcement notice to Southern in June.

But the rail company has appealed and the Government’s planning inspectorate will now decide through a public inquiry whether the depot should stay.

Residents have until this Friday to register their complaints with the inspectorate.

Resident Gill Wright said: “We can win this, but lots of responses from residents are absolutely crucial in this process.”

The council has appointed independent lawyers to compile its case.

Objections can be sent by post or online at pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal quoting reference APP/N5660/C/09/2109705.

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