Plans by a television company to blow-up a car outside a residential home for the elderly have been scrapped just days before deadline.

Thames Television Ltd, makers of police show The Bill, had planned to destroy a car in a controlled explosion in Palace Road in Streatham just yards from The Limes residential home, and close to Dykes Court, which houses people with a variety of disabilities.

The explosion was due to take place on Saturday evening and involved setting a car on fire before blowing it up.

Residents have criticised the programme makers for only leafleting a warning to around 200 in Palace Road and the surrounding streets despite the fact thousands live in the area.

They have now voiced their concerns at the lack of consultation.

Nick MacRae, vice chair of the Palace Road Estate Tenants Residents Association said: "Announcing something isn't consultation. I really don't think it is a good idea to set light to a car in a public place in a sensitive area. We have a lot of problems with abandoned cars in the Palace Road area and the council are not 100 per cent effective in removing them quickly. As a result they often get vandalised."

"I don't think it would be a in a good place where a lot of young people of impressionable behaviour might be influenced by it. "

"If you are going to have a controlled explosion it shouldn't be in a public place. I can't see what benefit it will have for the local community."

"The leaflet announced permission had been sought from both police and Lambeth council. However, a council spokesman refuted the statement."

Director of communications Rob Blower said: "It is not true that we gave permission."

"We had a number of issues of concern. Partly the fear of some sort of copycat actions, and also in the light of the recent terrorist concerns it could create an atmosphere of potential fear."

"We are also worried that the makers of The Bill would choose Lambeth to depict scenes of inner city violence and the message that this sends out."

A spokesman for the Film Liason Office, which works with local authorities and film companies to arrange permission for filming, denied permission had not be granted.

"It is not true that we hadn't given permission. We had approached Lambeth which is why it was stated in the leaflets."

The plans to explode the car have since been abandoned.

November 30, 2001 16:00