DEPTFORD'S revered and respected art scene faces "a nightmare" after plans for residential tower blocks were given the go-ahead.

Studio artists whose work has featured in Harry Potter and Les Miserables face being turfed out of Deptford’s creative hub.

Plans to remodel the Faircharm Estate in Creekside - a favourite base for creative industries - were given the green light by Lewisham Council’s planning board last night [May 2].

It means many creative businesses will be priced out making way for 148 homes, new six to 12 storey high buildings and commercial space.

Artistic couple Kevin Wiremu and Miriam Schultz, who created Hugh Jackman’s giant wrecked flag for Les Mis and dyed Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak, are having their work unit torn down and have nowhere to go.

Mr Wiremu, who has co-run Schultz and Wiremu Fabric Effects Ltd for 16 years said: "We are in a huge dilemma. "It is like home for us.

"The bottom line is we need to search for alternative space.

"On this estate there are people that generate income for themselves and the community entirely off their own backs.

"The atmosphere here is a mixture of resigned misery and nervousness."

His wife Miriam added: "It is just a nightmare really. "We have a few options but they are all much more expensive."

Many artists have already jumped ship and other successful businesses seeking space include Based Upon which has designed artwork and furniture for brands such as Mulberry, Dior and Fortnum and Mason.

Other fears include the impact on the neighbouring Creekside Estate with dust and noise from building work and overshadowing from the new towers.

Lewisham and Deptford MP Joan Ruddock said: "I would have much preferred a development that could have kept them in situ.

"These are businesses that we can ill afford to lose.

"Based Upon is hugely successful and I am very upset about them - they are so significant, so enterprising.

"Detpford is very good at renewing itself and I hope what will come in its place will add to the creative industry in the area."

Workspace Group PLCE says it is helping with the relocation of existing businesses and that the redevelopment will feature 46,400 square foot of space for small businesses, especially creative industries.

Workspace chief executive officer Jamie Hopkins said: "The Faircharm development will provide tailored space to the needs of small creative businesses, a capability which is at the heart of Workspace's key strengths."

A Lewisham Council spokeswoman added: "The council believes the Faircharm Estate makes a significant positive contribution to the special character and function of Creekside as a hub for creative industries and small and medium sized businesses.

"Workspace is seeking to redevelop the site having robustly demonstrated it is not a viable option to continue operating the site as it currently functions, on the basis that the existing buildings are under occupied and require significant investment to bring them up to modern standards."