The owner of a neglected grade II listed building in Tooting has two months to carry out repairs or lose it through a compulsory purchase order (CPO).

The council has given the owner of Gardner’s Lodge, in Tooting Bec Road, until mid-March to complete urgent repairs before it seeks permission from the Secretary of State to use CPO powers to save the building.

A listed buildings repairs notice was served on the owner earlier this month and lists all the works to be carried out immediately to avoid legal action.

Urgent repairs are needed to the windows, front door, chimney, fire places and guttering and there is particular concern about the roof, which is no longer waterproof.

The notice also warns him that if the minister is satisfied that the listed building has been deliberately allowed to fall into disrepair, as a prelude to demolition and redevelopment, only the minimum amount of compensation would be payable under the CPO’s terms.

Planning committee chairman Councillor Sarah McDermott said: “The owner of this important local landmark should be under no illusion whatsoever about the council’s determination to safeguard this fine historic building.

“He must take immediate action to prevent it from sustaining any further deterioration and carry out full repairs to all its important architectural and historical features. He has two months to complete this important task and the clock is ticking.”

Dan Watkins, Conservative parliamentary candidate and a spokesman for the Custodians of Tooting Lodge, a community group set up to protect the building, said: “We have been pressing the owner to restore the building for the past two years and are delighted that the council has heeded our calls to take the strongest legal action possible.

“We hope this will lead to comprehensive repair work and ultimately the return of this popular historic building to public access.”

If you would like to get involved in their restoration project for the lodge visit savetootinglodge.org.