It's been a blight on the Colliers Wood horizon for more than a decade, but campaigners are crossing their fingers that work on redeveloping Merton's ugliest tower will begin next week.

Wimbledon Times:

Progress at last? Workmen sighted at the tower before Christmas. Picture: Philip Richardson

The notorious Brown and Root building was given planning permission to be converted into about 200 flats and a ground floor shopping parade in 2006.

But numerous stops and starts have left residents and councillors baffled as the 17-storey tower has been left undeveloped to deteriorate and attract trespassers.

However, the long, long wait could be over, after workmen were spotted at the tower just before Christmas carrying out what appeared to be preparatory works to get the tower ready for redevelopment.

Councillor Nick Draper, who has campaigned for the tower's redevelopment for the past decade, said: "They are doing the initial work.

"I don't expect any big stuff to happen until the new year but nevertheless, for me, that was a tremendous Christmas present to see that at long last the hours and hours of work that our councillors, MPs and officers have put into this, that actually something is getting done."

The building is owned by Criterion Capital - a property investment company owned by Malawi-born Wimbledon resident Asif Aziz, which also owns the Trocadero site in Piccadilly Circus.

Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden, critcised Mr Aziz in the House of Commons in 2011 for not actioning the development work approved by Merton Council.

He was unavailable for comment this week.

Coun Draper said: "I want that building finished, up and running, I want it doing good for Colliers Wood with shops on the bottom and I want the new residents who live there to be happy residents.

"That's what I've been saying for the last 10 years and that's what I want now."