PROTESTERS have called on the council to protect a landmark Wanstead building from demolition by developers.

The Counties Resident's Association (CRA) has called on residents to join it in opposing an application by Telford Homes to pull down Chepstow, a six bedroom 1920s house in Leicester Road, and replace it with six smaller houses and 18 flats.

Helen Zammett, Chairman of the CRA, which represents the nine streets bordered by Leicester Road, Buckingham Road and Reydon Avenue, claims the plan would rob the area of a much loved building and put a group of protected trees at risk.

She said: "This plan would be a disaster for the estate if it allowed by the council.

"The house has a lot of character and has 16 protected trees in its grounds, which could be lost or damaged if this goes ahead.

"If this building is pulled down and replaced with yet more featureless flats it could set a worrying precedent for other areas of Redbridge and fill the roads with even more cars."

Fellow CRA member, Malcolm Dowers, of Leicester Road, hopes a recent decision by the Redbridge Conservation Advisory Panel to recommend the house for local listing, will go some way to safeguarding its future.

He said: "The panel's recommendation is welcomed but it is still vital for people to continue to notify the council of their opposition to the scheme."

Councillor Jim O'Shea, cabinet member for planning and regeneration, said it is likely the panel's recommendation will be accepted by the council but warned it was not guaranteed.

He said: "I see no reason why this building will not be locally listed by the council as long as it is of the appropriate architectural merit."

Mark Parker, of Telford Homes said the firm has tried hard to ensure the new development's design would be sympathetic to the surrounding area.

He said: "The current scheme complies with national and local planning policies, sits within the existing trees and is screened from adjacent homes by the current boundary screen of hedges and trees."

Letters of objection should quote application reference number, 0619/07 and be sent to the Chief Planning Officer, London Borough of Redbridge, PO Box 2, Town Hall, Ilford, IG1 1DD.