A petition to save a well-loved community hall from demolition has received 700 signatures in two days.

The petition started by the Redbridge Conservatives, opposing the closure of Woodford Green Library in Snakes Lane East and redevelopment of the Sir James Hawkey Hall in Broomhill Road, has now collected 720 signatures.

The petition needs 1,500 signatures to trigger a council debate on the issue.

In its budget proposals published in early January, Redbridge Council said it wanted to close Woodford Green Library, replacing it with a new mixed facility at the Hawkey Hall site, which would include a replacement library, gym, and housing.

At an overview committee on January 28 Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure’s chief executive Iain Varah said the hall would be demolished and redeveloped as part of a new community facility.

Co-creator of the Save Hawkey Hall Facebook page Amy Pereira, of Walpole Road in South Woodford said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have had.

“It is clear that so many other Woodford residents feel as strongly as us about Hawkey Hall.

“There is a lot emotion and nostalgia in the comments we have received, as its close to many people’s hearts, so we are hopeful of getting the 1,500 we need.”

A council spokesman said it is currently only proposing to move Woodford Green Library to the existing Hawkey Hall building.

He said: “Over time the Hawkey Hall site, which is designated in the Mayor of London’s brownfield sites, could be considered for redevelopment as a whole, this could include a range of different facilities or amenities including much-needed homes for the Borough.”