Campaigners have warned an “onslaught” of new housing developments in Walthamstow will lead to gentrification of the area.

The Waltham Forest Housing Action Network called a meeting at Harmony Hall on Saturday (May 21) to discuss Waltham Forest council’s “Walthamstow Master Plan”.

Concerns had been raised by the group, over plans for redevelopment of the St James Street and Walthamstow market areas.

Nancy Taaffe, of Waltham Forest Housing Action Network, criticised recently approved schemes to provide housing in Walthamstow as “council-led gentrification.”

She said: “These plans are an onslaught.

“We all agree that we need housing, but what kind of housing? We also want an expansion in amenities, schools, health, parking, in a planned, sensible coordinated fashion.

“We have had enough of land ‘giveaways’ when we have 20,000 on the housing waiting list and 2,000 in temporary accommodation.

“Why can’t all new builds be truly affordable for both local buyers and renters?

“Our starting point is that we will not move, we will not be kicked out of our borough to make way for council-led gentrification plans.”

Waltham Forest council has recently approved plans for a number of developments in the St James Street area, including one for 473 homes at South Grove.

A further 183-home scheme at the former Essex Brewery site in St James Street was approved in April.

Around 20 per cent of the South Grove development and 14 per cent of new homes at the Essex Brewery site will consist of “affordable housing”.