Communities concerned about retaining their heritage are fighting back against a council's decision to scrap an advisory panel that prevented inappropriate development in protected conservation areas.

Labour councillors voted through a decision to abolish the Conservation Advisory Panel (CAP) and replace with a forum that meets twice-a-year, at a regulatory committee meeting at Redbridge town hall on July 23.

Of the 16 designated conservation areas in Redbridge, 11 are in Wanstead and Woodford.

The CAP was responsible for overseeing planning applications submitted in these areas and was asked to give its opinion on whether they would adversely affect an area.

Members of the CAP and Conservative councillors, who voted against the move, argue the borough's "heritage will be wiped out" and areas of special architectural or historical interest are now at risk from "unscrupulous developers".

Now, Conservative councillors in Snaresbrook, Wanstead, Church End, Bridge and Monkhams and Lid Dem councillor Hugh Cleaver for Church End have called for the decision to be debated at next week's overview committee on August 11.

A petition launched by CAP members and residents calling on its re-instatement has gathered over 400 signatures.

Chairman of the CAP, councillor Chris Cummins said the recommendation to abolish CAP "sprung out of nowhere".

He said: "This is a terrible retro-grade step and is compounded by the fact that the only conservation officer post was abolished in March.

"Without this expertise and the pressure planning officers are under, inappropriate recommendations will be made.

"The council seem to be going against local democracy and have compromised any ability to protect conservation areas.

"A lot of land in these areas is greenbelt or City of London Corporation-owned land which cannot be built on so the amount of space is limited. The only place to build is to build upwards."

Chairman of Wanstead and Snaresbrook safer neighbourhood panel, Steve Wilks, 38, helped launch the petition.

He said: "I'm not against building homes, but it worries me when safeguards are disbanded just like that.

"No-one was consulted, the council is riding rough-shot over community groups like the Wanstead Society who are a valued part of society and whose views have been completely overlooked.

"People move here for the village-like feel and greenery but I now suspect areas under-developed will be converted into high rise flats and a lot more land will be sold on redevelopment.

"The argument the CAP costing too much money is a fallacy, a lot of the work was done by volunteers. Any savings made will be negligible as there will be more work for officers."

Conservative leader councillor Paul Canal said it was "contemptuous" to ignore local groups and said holding a forum twice a year is "a joke" as most applications are decided within six weeks.

He continued: "We cannot stand by and let Labour concrete over our borough with inappropriate development, crushing our heritage."

1,500 signatures are needed before the full council meeting in September.

The council has been asked how much money it anticipates will be saved through abolishing CAP. 

To sign the petition, click here.