A DANCE school run by Strictly Come Dancing star Matthew Cutler has been threatened with closure for a second time.
Mr Cutler runs the Club Semley Dance Academy at the Semley Social Club in Semley Road, Norbury.
The building's owner Peter Maxwell has applied to Croydon Council for a renewal of planning permission allowing him to pull down the centre and replace it with a three-storey building comprising four one- bedroom and five two-bedroom flats.
Permission was granted in 2009 after a planning inspector overruled the council.
Since then there has been no movement on the proposals and when the Advertiser asked Mr Maxwell's agent, Anthony Keen, this week whether the renewal application meant redevelopment was back on again, we were told: "My client's affairs are his own business."
Mr Cutler was not available for comment this week but residents are rallying to try and protect the business.
Mark Smith, chairman of Norbury Green Residents' Association, said: "The club is a great building which fits with the area.
"The dance academy is nationally famous for producing quality dancers."
He added that it was an important cultural asset to the area and the association had lodged a formal objection to the plans, stating the makeup of Norbury had changed since the planning permission was granted originally.
He said: "A lot of houses in Semley Road have been pulled down to make way for flats or converted into flats.
"It is not about being Nimbys; Semley Road is a narrow street and there is no parking for residents."
More flats would add to existing problems, he said.
He was supported by Norbury councillor Maggie Mansell, who said the loss of the dance academy would have a knock-on effect on other businesses.
She said: "It attracts people into the area who also go on to use shops and restaurants.
"We already have enough flats in Norbury. What we need is more family homes."
The application will be considered afresh by the council but, in making recommendations, planners will have to take into account that it is identical to the scheme which already has planning permission.
