More than 50 people attended a protest against a landmark pub being turned into a hostal, with a decision on its future looming.

This week, a planning application for the Lord Rookwood pub, in Cann Hall Road, Leytonstone, will be considered by Waltham Forest council.

Earlier this year, the Tudor-style pub, which was built in 1893, was boarded up, with residents expressing sadness at the sudden closure.

Yaas Investments submitted a proposal to turn the upstairs of the building into an 18-bed hostel with kitchen facilities.

This led to 300 people signing a petition against the plan, with many calling for it to remain a pub and others expressing concern about a hostel being so close to schools.

Campaigner Sally Pring, of Selby Road, said she was encouraged by the turn-out on Saturday.

The 33-year-old said: “It was a really positive event, loads of people turned up and a meeting was held afterwards to discuss the campaign.

“We are very aware of a decision looming and Cllr Keith Rainer and Cllr Patrick Edwards have been great in helping us.

“It is just an outrageous proposal, which we assume the council will reject, and we are pushing the council to use Article Four direction, which would mean the community would be able to have its say."

In similar cirumstances last month, The Heathcote Arms, in Grove Green Road, Leytonstone, was the first in Waltham Forest to be listed as a Asset of Community Value (ACV).

This gives the community six months to raise sufficient funds to purchase the building if it is put up for sale.

A public meeting on the future of the Lord Rookwood pub has been organised for November 22 at Cann Hall Methodist Church, in Cann Hall Road, Leytonstone.  

The petition can be found here.

A decision is expected to be made this week.