Campaigners are celebrating this week after plans to destroy the Royal Arsenal Co-Operative Society building in Tooting were withdrawn.

The council received thousands of objections to the redevelopment of the historic Art Deco building in Upper Tooting Road, which is home to Tooting’s only Hindu temple.

In a dramatic turn-around last week, developers withdrew their application ahead of its planning hearing today.

Dale Ingram, of the Tooting Local History Group, said: “To everyone who took part, from Sadiq Khan and his many supporters to the London cabbies and local shop staff, all of whose objections bore equal weight at the Town Hall, the RACS building wants to say a huge thank you.”

Barrofen Properties, which owns the site, planned to build a 76 bedroom hotel and student accommodation, saying it would benefit the area’s wider community.

But worshippers at the Sivayogam Muthumariyamman Temple joined history enthusiasts in a campaign to save the building, which dates back to 1923.

After an emergency plea from campaigners, English Heritage are considering it as a priority to become a listed building.

Thousands of Tooting residents, including Sadiq Khan MP, had signed petitions and written to Wandsworth Council objecting to the planned development.

The site was once home to a shopping and community centre run by the Co-operative movement, which aimed to channel profits back into the community.

It is one of Tooting’s last-standing historical buildings, alongside Gala Bingo, the Sik temple and the library on Mitcham Road.

Mr Khan said: “This is a great victory for the local community; all those who attended the public meetings, signed petitions, wrote objection letters and helped deliver leaflets should be proud of what they’ve achieved.

“But we’re not finished. Although the building is home to the Sivayagum Temple, too much of it has been unused and allowed to become derelict. The developers should meet with the local community to discuss how best to make use of this landmark Tooting building.”