A notorious eyesore could finally be demolished, after developers confirmed a planning application is in the pipeline.

Victoria House in North Cheam has been empty for eight years, with locals calling for it to be torn down and replaced with shops and affordable housing.

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Sutton and Cheam Emily Brothers, says housing provider Home Group will submit a planning application for the site in January next year.

The prospective MP is concerned demolition will be stalled by Ladbrokes bookmakers, who may seek to retain their shop at the site.

On November 26 Ms Brothers launched a petition calling on all parties involved in the demolition to co-operate so work can begin swiftly.

When this story went live it had collected 62 votes of support.

She said: "(Victoria House) blights the neighbourhood and makes the Cheam crossroads area look derelict. 

"There is overwhelming support for the regeneration of Victoria House and the adjoining shops, to provide modern purpose built new homes and retail outlets that people need and want."

A Home Group spokesperson said an application for the site will not be made in January, but will be submitted in early 2015.

The building is at the crossroads of London Road and Malden Road, with a Ladbrokes store built into the structure on the London Road side.

Ms Brothers' petition asks for all parties involved in the regeneration of the site to help relocate the bookmakers.

Back in 2012 efforts were made to spruce up the building by decorating it with artwork, but it did little to appease locals anxious to see the structure torn down.

In June 2013 Surrey-based developers Stonegate Homes were granted planning permission to build new homes and shops at the site.

The plans were scrapped when the firm put the site up for sale just a month later.

To see the petition visit: tinyurl.com/VicHouseCheam