Deptford residents objecting to a controversial development have said they feel like they are living in a time of “apartheid.”

Campaigners are calling on Lewisham Council to pass a motion that will stop developers building “segregated” flats in the borough after the Creekside development was given the green light last month.

Objectors accused developers of promoting “poor doors” by proposing to split up affordable flats and more expensive flats by putting them in different blocks.

Joyce Jacca, who has lived in Deptford for 19 years, accused developers of “dividing communities” by separating people in affordable housing from those in more expensive homes.

She told News Shopper: “It’s like living in South Africa. You are dividing communities, which means you have got communities within communities.”

Plans to build 56 flats and a workspace in an eight-storey building and a four-storey building were passed by the council’s planning committee despite a 2,000-strong petition against them.

Despite the objections, Lewisham Council’s planning committee agreed to the development under the condition that all facilities were made available to all tenants.

Raymond Woolford, a campaigner and writer from Deptford, has now set out to make sure all future developments put all residents on equal footing.

“We want a policy change in the law which means that in our borough we will not allow segregation or discrimination.

“I can’t believe I’m using those words in 2019,” the 61-year-old told News Shopper.

Mr Woolford has started a petition to Lewisham council aiming to cut out division between affordable housing and pricier homes in future development plans.

The petition, which has racked up almost 300 signatures, reads: “In 2019 we believe there is no place for housing discrimination and call on Lewisham council to publicly state and insure planning officers are clear that poor doors and segregation of children’s play areas that positively discriminate have no place in Lewisham.”

Ms Jacca, a council candidate for People Before Profit, said: “If you live in an area, you should all be as one. If anything comes up, you fight it as a family.

“How can you do that if you’re segregated?”

Eighty-two-year-old Barbara Raymond, a New Cross resident for more than 60 years, told News Shopper: “They are only looking at business.”

The former council candidate added the needs of people who require extra help are not being considered when new developments are passed.

Mrs Raymond, who has campaigned for equality all her life, added: “I have been through a lot and the main thing I’ve learnt is to stand up and prove who you are. You must stand up to them.”

A spokesman for Lewisham Council said: "The plan for development at 1 Creekside does not include poor doors.

"Lewisham Council is clear that there are no poor doors in Lewisham and we would never allow them to be included on any development."