A petition has been launched to “save” a Tooting music venue after its owners discovered through social media that a planning application has been submitted to Wandsworth council.

Hannah White and her husband, Keiron Marshall, learned about the planning application sent to the council after a user on Twitter mentioned them in a post.

The Sound Lounge, in Upper Tooting Road, opened in January this year following a successful £12,000 crowdfunding campaign, but could now cease to exist after less than a year if proposed plans are approved.

The venue is one of several buildings being proposed in being demolished, with the restoration of the Royal Arsenal Co-Operative Society (RACS) building and redevelopment of the remainder of the site to provide a part single-, four- or five-storey building with amenities such as four new shops, a hotel, 45 car parking spaces and more than 100 cycle parking spaces.

Wandsworth Times:

Co-owner of The Sound Lounge Keiron Marshall. Photo: Ben Mole

However, Mrs White said they had not been informed or consulted about it in either written or verbal plans.

She added: “As far as we are concerned we are deeply committed to this local community and the people we are working with and alongside, including the vulnerable groups.

“We intend to continue the work we are doing for artists and for the community.”

Since August 27 there have been more than 80 comments on the application, with the majority objecting to the proposals.

Suze Taylor, of Gilbey Road, wrote that she is “sick of interesting venues, especially music ones, being knocked down for more flats that no doubt a lot of locals can’t afford”.

She added: “It’s such a stupid, ill-though, greedy and backwards move. Independent places are becoming few and far between in London and it’s very important we cherish and grow independent venues.”

However, there are others who welcome the plans.

One resident with the surname Fuller, from Hebdon Road, said the building has been a “missed chance for the last 40 years”.

They added: “Most of the objection(s) seem to be about the loss of a temporary, hipster, bar [and] I should see 100 percent of the site after provision of retail space used for affordable accommodation. That would be a first.

“My only objection is about the construction noise or mess and the banning of any and all site traffic from Hebdon Road.”

Wandsworth Times:

Co-owner of The Sound Lounge Keiron Marshall. Photo: Ben Mole

The owners of The Sound Lounge aim to appeal to Paul Martin, chief executive at Wandsworth Council, as well at the property developers, Barrowfen Properties.

In a statement they said they are not asking for the project to be abandoned.

"We are not against regeneration and development, we are fighting to be heard.

"We are asking to be acknowledged, consulted and we believe we should be protected so that we can continue the important work we have started in Tooting, bringing live music to the area, tackling social isolation and running charitable projects.

"Furthermore we are asking that councils urgently address current regulations at policy level to protect our high strets and communities here in Wandsworth, but also across the country, from the sort of investment which obliterates anything that is independent of cultural value and local significance."

More than 4,000 people have signed the petition so far, and advocates of the appeal include BBC Radio presenters Tom Robinson and Baylen Leonard.

Barrowfen Properties has been approached for comment.