The council is going to fight a government inquiry into a Sutton town centre eyesore.

Criterion Capital, the developers of Sutherland House in Brighton Road, has launched an appeal against the council over the stalled project.

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The original proposals. Picture by Philip Atkinson

Councillors argue Criterion should provide affordable housing as well as spending in the community, but the developers say they cannot afford it.

Following a development control committee meeting on Wednesday, May 8, the council agreed the grounds on which the appeal will be contested.

A decision on Sutherland House will be decided by the Planning Inspectorate after the original application was not determined in the 13-week target period. It will now have to go through the costly process of an appeal, to be heard on July 17.

Criterion Capital are also the developers of the infamous Brown and Root building in Colliers Wood, which has lain dormant for years.

Your Local Guardian: Colliers Wood's Brown and Root tower voted ugliest building in the capital

The Brown and Root building in Colliers Wood