CAMPAIGNERS took to a south London high street this weekend in protest at their local council’s unpopular plans to destroy a community garden as part of a new housing development.

Residents have occupied Tidemill Garden in Deptford since Wednesday to prevent Lewisham Council boarding up the site. The Save Tidemill group is also fighting plans to demolish 16 council homes at nearby Reginald House.

On Saturday at least 100 activists and supporters marched in Deptford High Street to draw attention to Lewisham’s proposals.

Heather Gilmore said: “Deptford is being taken over predominantly by private developments.

“The council then chooses to build the most social homes that they have ever done in an area that’s much valued by the community and wants to demolish 16 council homes.

“We are against this — there are alternatives, we’ve given them alternatives, but our council is not listening to us.”

Diann Gerson, who lives in Reginald House, said Tidemill Garden was “a wonderful space for all the community” and called Lewisham’s plans “unjust and unfair.”