Westwood opposes plan to build flats on roof of her old home

Dame Vivienne Westwood has joined a campaign to protect a block of Art Deco flats where she lived for almost 30 years.

The 67-year-old fashion designer has written to Wandsworth council expressing her dismay at plans to build eight flats on the roof of Thurleigh Court in Nightingale Lane.

She said the development would destroy the character and aesthetics of the Thirties block, adding that it would bring "extra noise, extra people, increased strain on rubbish collection and water supply, plus loss of privacy for flats with existing roof terraces". Dame Vivienne bought a flat at Thurleigh Court with her then partner, Malcolm McLaren, in the Seventies and lived there until 1999 when she bought a £700,000 Georgian home on Clapham Common. But she didn't sell the flat and it is now lived in by a family member.

A Wandsworth spokesman said the proposals would be considered by the planning committee.

He added: "We have just finished the consultation and are evaluating the letters and responses. If people still want to express a view they can write to us and we will take those to the committee on the night." Developer Faroncell would not comment.