Plans to demolish the site of the former Kinema in a high street have been relaunched.

The plans are for two four-storey blocks, one behind the other, containing eight flats and a restaurant on what used to be the site of the old Kinema in High Street, Wanstead.

It catered for more than 500 movie-goers at a time, but closed in 1956 before being used as a bingo club, snooker hall and most recently a Vietnamese restaurant which closed in December.

Five unsuccessful attempts have been made since 2010 to win permission for the building’s redevelopment, but all have been rejected for being out of keeping with the High Street.

Conservative Cllr Christopher Cummins of the Snaresbrook ward said he had concerns about the new planning application.

He said: “I am concerned about it because of the history behind the building.

“It was one of the first shops on the high street and it is important that the building is retained or at least remain sympathetic to what is there already.

“Four storeys is too big a development, the application was refused before and it will happen again if serious issues are not addressed.”

Wanstead Society chair, Geoff Horsnell, said developers had not listened to calls to retain history in the new build.

He said: “Developers agreed to keep an indication of history of the old building into the plans but nothing has come of it.

“I also think it will be turned down because it would cause chaos when it is demolished and rebuilt, it is too close to the traffic lights and no rear access either.”

Platform Five Architects states on its website that it has tried to design the build to be in keeping with the High Street.

It says: “The building has been carefully crafted to fit into its sensitive context and echoes the vernacular building forms in order to maintain the village character of the street.”

People have until February 20 to air their views on the plans.