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A campaign has been launched to halt changes to a “magical and precious” London street which has remained virtually untouched for more than 150 years.

Thousands of people are backing a fight to block proposed development in historic Roupell Street, an immaculately preserved enclave of Georgian architecture in the heart of Waterloo.

The picturesque Grade II-listed terrace dates back to the 1830s and frequently features as a television and film backdrop, including in the imminent Kray twins biopic Legend starring Tom Hardy.

The street, close to Waterloo and Southwark stations, comprises about 70 Georgian houses and a Victorian school building occupied by private language school Education First - which is behind the controversial scheme.

The company, a global teaching giant with more than 500 campuses worldwide, wants to erect a two-storey extension in its front courtyard, which residents say will block views to the listed school building and wreck the street's historic charm.

Kim Rutherford, who has lived there for a decade, is part of the residents' campaign against the project and started a Change.org petition which has gathered more than 5,500 signatures.

Ms Rutherford, 41, who runs online gift business Patchwork Present and sits on the board of directors of environmental charity Do The Green Thing, told the Standard: "I feel like the street is a bit bigger than just us living here.

"People love the street. You step back in time when you step into Roupell Street, nothing has changed and it's magical having that in London.

"Lots of our old buildings have been ripped down, but if you have something small, rare and precious, you have to protect it."

Roupell Street also appears in hit TV shows such as Mr Selfridge, Call the Midwife and Doctor Who. Residents say it is one of the most filmed places in London with at least a dozen crews shooting each year.

Education First has lodged a planning application with Lambeth Council to demolish a brick wall, railings and gates, before building the two-storey structure complete with basement. The extension will house a canteen and also require the felling of five trees.

Ms Rutherford says it should simply find a new home if it has outgrown the Victorian school building, which is Grade II-listed like the road's terraced housing.

"Sometimes you just need to move if you outgrow a place," she said.

"The plans just seem to be unsympathetic to the neighbourhood and residents here. It will have such an impact on the street, which has not changed for decades and decades."

Backing the petition, Liz Sullivan said: "This is a truly beautiful part of London. Let's not spoil it - surely some things are sacred?"

Leona Nicholas, who also signed, said the application will "destroy the beauty" of the street, while Amy Johnson wrote: "Enough is enough! This is not necessary and will result in more erosion of London heritage."

A spokesman for Lambeth Council said: "The application is currently under consideration. No formal recommendation has been made and no committee date has been set at this stage."

Education First has been asked to comment but did not respond in time for publication.