Campaigners have tried to halt plans to pull down the gasholders in Bell Green by handing in a petition of 600 signatures to Lewisham Council.

Current plans will see the gasholders demolished to make way for an Aldi supermarket.

The petition calls for the gasholders to be listed and the land around the them to be turned into residential units instead of retail space.

The petition was signed by members of These Streets Belong to Us and the Sydenham Society and was presented by Councillor Alan Hall in the full Council Meeting in the Council Chamber at Lewisham Town Hall.

Councillor Alan Hall said: “Local residents are not opposing development there is an urgent need for more homes in the area and I am pleased that the Deputy Mayor has agreed to meet me and the Sydenham Society to explore the options.

“I understand that this planning application will be determined at a planning committee meeting soon.”

Anyone who wants to express their views on the plans to demolish the gasholders should email planning@lewisham.gov.uk.