A five-year-old girl was injured after glass from the derelict 12-storey Horton water tower in Epsom fell into her garden.

Sarah Donovan, of Cavendish Walk, was enjoying her newly landscaped garden for the first time when she cut her foot on glass that had fallen from the abandoned building which backs directly onto the Donovan’s home.

The accident happened weeks after work finally started to demolish the tower by its owner London and Quadrant Housing Association only to be halted due to a change in the planning laws.

Sarah’s father, Matthew Donovan, said: “Luckily it didn’t go deep enough to cause any damage.

“But it’s a private residence.

“We should be able enjoy our garden in peace without the fear of glass falling into our garden.

“Since she’s cut her foot we have been constantly finding pieces of glass and even a bit of brickwork has come off the tower.”

Kat Battrick, a resident of Cavendish Walk, added: “We have lived with pigeon droppings, uncertainty and poor decision making by the local authority.

“Finally it was getting sorted and now once again it hasn’t happened."

A spokesman for L&Q said: “Since we submitted our original planning application, there have been changes to planning laws which have unfortunately invalidated that application.

“We understand that residents are anxious for this to be resolved as quickly as possible, and we would like to reassure them that the new application will be submitted as soon as we can so that work can get moving again.”

“We received reports that debris had fallen from the tower and we immediately sent contractors to make the site completely safe.”

A spokesperson for Epsom and Ewell Council said: "London and Quadrant are now required to submit information relating to an environmental impact assessment and a heritage appraisal.

“These requirements and the associated delay do not imply that planning permission for demolition of the tower would be refused.

“They are, however, a necessary part of the process.”