'Babylon' singer David Gray has angered London residents after revealing plans to convert his music studio, which is a well-known recording space and building, into apartments.

The Church Studios has been used by many respected musicians, including the likes of Elvis Costello and Radiohead, and Gray bought it from The Eurythmics' Dave Stewart back in 2003.

His proposal to turn the space into a residential premises has reportedly upset the locals and forced Gray's architect, Mark Ruthven, to defend the plans:

"(The building) is completely obsolete, it doesn't get used. This is a way of the building being used. The heritage is preserved. The important thing is to find a re-use and that it is done in a sensitive way."

A representative for the hitmaker also issued a statement, explaining that the current climate of the music industry means that unfortunately the studios aren't as lucrative now as they have been in the past:

"Having owned and enjoyed the church for nearly 10 years, it is time to move on. David would be delighted to sell The Church Studios but given the current upheaval in the music business and the repercussions on commercial recording studios, it is only prudent to explore other avenues, including redevelopment."

Watch Gray's music video for 'Fugitive' below: