A historic music studio where the likes of The Kinks and indie rockers Foals have recorded has been threatened with demolition after standing tall for decades.

Battery Studios, in Willesden north London, has been a community-led music studio since 1980 with artists such as Adele, Supergrass, Iron Maiden, Paul McCartney and more gracing its recording booths.

Now, its producers are fighting to preserve the historic building and save it from being demolished and replaced with nine residential units and three commercial units.

Park Investments, the landlord of Battery Studios since 2005, submitted a planning application to Brent Council on 26 February. Studio co-manager Mark Ellis, better known by his producer name Flood, said the group of business owners working in the studios were unaware of the planning application as they signed on for another year of subletting that same month.

Thousands of people have signed a petition to protect the building, calling on Brent Council to intervene against the planning application, which has 23 objections submitted since it was made.

Dave Davies, guitarist from The Kinks who recorded albums such as Lola vs Powerman at Battery Studios, told The Independent that the building was a vital part to the UK’s music heritage.

“I’m saddened to hear that the future of Battery Studios is in jeopardy. I have fond memories of recording our albums Lola vs Powerman and the Moneygoround, Muswell Hillbillies and Percy there when it was Morgan Studios. The building is an important part of UK’s musical heritage and should remain a recording studio.”

Flood, who has worked with the likes of New Order, U2, PJ Harvey and Foals, called the threat “devastating”, pointing to a wider problem impacting community-led studios across the United Kingdom that run without the backing of major labels.

“This is a bigger thing than just building seven or eight flats on here,” he told The Independent. “All across the country, [music studios are] just getting levelled.

“It’s a real problem for the recording industry that studios are just being obliterated for many different reasons. There’s a really important need for them as a community.”

There are an estimated 500 recording studios across the UK, according to research by the Music Producers Guild, which found that 50 per cent of them were at risk of closure due to business rates demands.

Matt Taylor, executive director of the guild, said: “Recording studios are the central pillar of the UK music industry. Without studios, artists would have nothing to promote, labels would have nothing to sell, streaming services would have nothing to play, and fans would have nothing to listen to. Studios create the soundtrack to people’s lives.

“The Battery Studios case should be a wake-up call for policymakers, local authorities, and the wider music industry. The loss of recording studios has consequences far beyond one building. If recording facilities disappear from the UK, British music risks being made elsewhere. As more of our iconic studios close, we will see the best of British music made by British artists, by British producers, and by British engineers, being made outside of Britain. If we want Britain to remain a global music leader, British music must continue to be made in Britain.”

Brent Council has said that the venue’s cultural significance will be considered alongside objections from members of the public.

A spokesperson from Brent Council said: “The application in question is currently under consideration and will be evaluated against the policies set out in Brent’s Local Plan and the London Plan. This includes policies on affordable housing and cultural venues across the capital.

“Although the building is not listed, the council does consider it to be a ‘non-designated heritage asset’, and its significance will be considered alongside all objections received by members of the public. A committee hearing date has not yet been set.”

UK Music director of campaigns & engagement Olga FitzRoy: “Recording studios are the backbone of the British music industry, which is worth £8 billion to the economy every year. Battery has played host to countless culturally significant and commercially successful recordings by artists ranging from Joan Armatrading to Ed Sheeran and PinkPantheress to name but a few.

“Building studios requires significant time and investment and they cannot easily relocate, and losing a world-class studio like Battery would be a hammer blow to London’s world-class recording scene.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor said: “The Mayor is committed to supporting all aspects of London’s important music industry and earlier this year met with recording studio representatives to discuss the challenges they face. For nearly 50 years Battery Studios has shown what a vital role these venues play in providing space for artists to develop their work, and the Mayor’s Culture and Community Spaces at Risk programme is currently assessing what support can be offered.”

The Independent contacted Park Investments for comment.