Sutton planners breathed a huge sigh of relief as Government inspectors yesterday gave the green light for the Roundshaw estate's multi-million pound revamp.

The ambitious £96.5 million project to demolish more than 1,100 properties to make way for new homes has finally been given the go-ahead after a public inquiry held by the Department of the Environment in February.

Representatives from Sutton Council and community groups spoke out in favour of the scheme at the inquiry, which lasted for four days.

After an anxious six months, the long-awaited decision has been welcomed.

Deputy leader of Sutton Council, Mike Cooper, said: "This is wonderful news. The Government has now given its seal of approval to our approach."

He said inspectors recognised the huge benefits regeneration will bring to Roundshaw residents, and also recognised the arguments put against the scheme at the public inquiry were not strong enough to stand in its way.

He added: "Above all, this is good news for the residents of Roundshaw, many of whom have supported the regeneration project from the very start of a long and drawn-out planning process.

"They have been waiting for this news for a long time and I am very happy for them."

Chairman of the Roundshaw Forum, Sue Butler, said: "We're all very relieved - it has been a long time coming."

And Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake said he would do everything in his power to ensure the project now proceeds smoothly.

The Sutton Regeneration Partnership - which brought in £19 million of Government money in addition to the millions raised by the council and its housing association partners - expects construction work on the new homes to start in October.

Sutton Council will work in partnership with Metropolitan Housing Trust, Hyde Housing Association, Sutton Housing Society and home builder Wimpey to transform the estate.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.