PLANS for a 26-storey tower on a new development in Deptford have sparked fury from residents.

MacDonald Egan has applied for planning permission to build 200 residential apartments, 40,000sq ft of business space, 20 live-to-work units and 50 affordable social housing units on the former Seager Distillery site.

Following complaints from residents, the company says it is considering changing its plans but Brookmill Action Group (BAG) remains unconvinced.

Spokesman Fred Aylward said: “Local people are not opposed to redevelopment of the site or of the broader regeneration of Deptford we just don't want the tower.

“The bizarre thing is when we have said this to the developers, they simply say 'The tower stays'. They've said it all along and repeated it at a recent public meeting.”

Protesters also fear the tower could impose on views from nearby conservation areas, and could cut off sunlight from Brookmill Road.

Mr Aylward added: “Because they are determined to ruin our skyline with their tower, we are determined to fight them all the way.

“Residents want a quality development which will be sympathetic to its historical surroundings and which will offer a higher number of affordable homes for locals.”

Other objections were submitted to Lewisham Council by English Heritage, the Mayor of London, The Environment Agency and Greenwich Council.

But developer MacDonald Egan says it has kept well within the planning brief which went out from Lewisham last year.

A spokesman said: “This is a very exciting project. We have been taking into account the criticism and have modified our plans accordingly. As a result of complaints the tower looked too bulky, the new design is thinner and we are also considering making it shorter.”

Lewisham Council's planning committee is due to make a decision.”