She said the existing buildings were protected but that she hoped that adverse publicity would force the owner, The Prince's Trust, to change its mind.

"The area is very beautiful and a pet supermarket belongs on a trading estate rather than a residential part of London. People have written to the Prince of Wales. He’s a conservationist so how can he allow this to go through?"

A representative of The Prince’s Trust representative said: "We are going through a rigorous tender process to select the most suitable buyer, which is being managed independently by surveying company, Colliers International.

"We are continuing to look at all options for future of the site, which is likely to be taken on by another tenant. As a charity, The Prince’s Trust is required to focus on its core activity of supporting disadvantaged young people into jobs and training. With this in mind, we are currently looking at selling the lease of the garden centre in order to raise funds to invest in support of more young people."

The Trust bought two-thirds of the lease for Fulham Palace Garden Centre from the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham for more than £500,000 last year.