A bid to halt the construction of a new Ikea superstore in Greenwich appears to have failed after the government decided not to call the project in.

The Swedish furniture giant's plan to demolish the Sainsbury's on Bugsby's Way and replace it with a huge new store has already been given outline approval by Greenwich Council's planning board.

But protestors, who organised a 1,200-signature petition against the development, had hoped Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, would call the decision in.

They claimed the new store would increase traffic congestion and air pollution, while also seeing Sainsbury's - a pioneering example of sustainable construction - knocked down.

However, a letter from the government department has confirmed the decision should be left to Greenwich Council.