Tenants of a block of flats in Southfields are seeking legal advice after a housing association said it was changing the use of the commercial unit below the flats, which could allow food shops and late night stores to move in.

Residents of Priscilla Court in Merton Road - some of whom are key workers such as teachers and doctors - claim they only entered a contract on the understanding the unit would be used for A2 use - which permits financial and professional use.

However, Servite Houses said it had received no interest in the space - which is 2,000 sq ft - as an A2 unit, and it now wants to change the use to A1 - which includes permitting shops such as meat shops, sandwich bars and convenience stores.

Mark Blakemore, one of the 30 tenants in the 14 flats, said: “We all feel like we have been duped. Some of the tenants are key workers, and the scheme is meant to keep those people within communities. This is a run-down area and this makes people want to get out.”

The tenants held a meeting with councillors and Putney MP Justine Greening last week and have now taken legal advice.

A spokeswoman for Servite Housing said it had been marketing the units since July 2007 without success.

She said changing the unit into residential accommodation was not financially viable due to the property size, layout and location.

The other option, she said, was to change the use class to another form of commercial use.

She said: “The guide to planning use classes (that incorporates the 2006 amendments) indicates that a change from A2 to A1 can be permitted. As part of the investigatory work, we consulted with the planning department, local agents and the police. In terms of the prevention of anti-social behaviour, the police believe that a convenience store unit would pose less of a problem than the empty space.

“Having considered the option of converting the unit into residential accommodation it was not financially viable given the property size, layout and location.”

The spokeswoman added Servite had met residents and had received two formal objection.

The application will now go to Wandsworth Council.