A 200-year-old building in the heart of Carshalton will soon be demolished to make way for a dentists.

What to do with the now derelict Carshalton Forge has been a matter of debate for many years.

In 2012, work began to clear the 19th century site before planning permission to turn it into a car wash had even been granted.

The application was then withdrawn following an intervention by Sutton Council to halt the destruction of the building.

This whole incident angered residents, who at the time called it "shocking, scandalous and outrageous."

But now a separate planning application to turn the site into a three storey building with a dentists surgery has been approved.

In a document submitted as part of the application it called the current site "unremarkable" in appearance.

"What remains of the existing Old Forge are some external walls some of which have partially collapsed and the roof which has also partially collapsed," it said.

"The building itself is unremarkable in architecture and would appear to hold no significant historical merit."

RELATED: Carshalton Forge saved as owners accused of "riding roughshod" over heritage

In 2014, the Carshalton Society was invited by the applicants to look at the proposal.

From this meeting it was decided to submit a letter of support, with just one stipulation.

"The executive committee, having considered its impact on the surrounding area, were in agreement that it should not be opposed in principle, but note the absence of any dedicated parking," the letter said.

"The building is admittedly adjacent to a public car park, but there would be a need not only for overnight parking for the residents of the flats but also for daytime parking for the staff of the dental practice.

"We trust that these concerns will be addressed when the application is considered."

In the council's letter approving the designs, the issue of parking was addressed, however bikes, not cars, were the focus.

"Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, full details of the secure cycle

storage facilities for six cycle spaces shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority which shall show their positioning within the site, the size and materials of the enclosure and the means of access," it said.

"(This is) to ensure the development provides an adequate level of cycle parking facilities and to encourage sustainable modes of transport."