George Eliot’s biographer has spoken out in support of the campaign to save her famous view from Holly Lodge in the West Hill Conservation Area.

Professor Kathryn Hughes, author of “George Eliot, The Last Victorian”, said the author treasured the awe-inspiring scene as she wrote her countryside-inspired novel, The Mill on the Floss.

Eliot moved into the house, in Wimbledon Park Road, at the age of 39 in 1859, and it is the last-standing property in London where she was an active writer.

Prof Hughes said: “This is the one piece of bricks and mortar that we have got. This is the only place in London we have got where she was a working, successful writer.

“I just think given that she is on of our great writers, and this house played such a crucial part of her career in London, it seems a great shame that the view that once meant so much to her is now going to be obstructed.”

The novelist wrote to a friends marvelling at the “wide horizon” she could see from her window, as the 40-mile view stretched from Clapham round to Wimbledon Hill.

Now developers are renewing an application to block it with a five-storey block of flats in the place of a Skoda garage, just outside of the conservation area.

Eliot settled in the leafy suburb after being shunned by family members in rural Warwickshire because of her relationship with a married man, George Henry Lewes.

Prof Hughes added: “She was writing about her early years in Warwickshire, but she can't go back because she is being shunned by family members. Wandsworth is the nearest place she can get to see scenery and plants.”

Neighbouring properties, many of which are period homes, are no more than three storeys high.

Sarah Roberts, current owner of the property, has written to Boris Johnson as draft guidance produced by his team states new buildings should fit in with existing heritage.

More than 40 residents have signed a petition against the proposal, many on the grounds of blocked light, over-looking and preservation of the conservation area.

Micheal Austin, the developer, has said the building would be an improvement as it is residential rather than commercial.

Consultation ends on Friday. To view the application and have your say, visit the planning section of wandsworth.gov.uk and go to application number 2010/0325.

Residents have created a campaign website at reduceaustintowers.com.