Fears that a whole area could be made 'soulless' were making our headlines ten years ago this week.

A street could be left without a soul if a housing association demolishes a historic pub and builds flats, it has been claimed.

Ferndale Area Residents Association (FARA) members were told CBHA will not retain the frontage of the Lincolns Pub building when it redevelops the site in High Road, Leytonstone.

The housing association is in the process of finalising a deal to buy the plot and hopes to build a block incorporating 17 flats.

Residents believe the front of the 150-year-old building should remain as it is the last surviving prominent reminder of the area’s history.

Flash Bristow, FARA chair, said: “People do feel very strongly about the frontage and would like to see it stay even if the rest of the building goes. It is very important for the area.

“The frontage is a major issue. It completely affects the way the area looks. If the whole area becomes blocks of flats it would make the whole area soulless.

“If the frontage is gone there would be nothing left but soulless blocks of modern flats.

“I accept that we need to move on but whichever developer comes still needs to be sympathetic to the area.

“We are going to try to keep this dialogue with CBHA open, in the hope they would be responsive to our ideas.

“Ultimately if they own the site they can propose what they want, but if in the planning application, the frontage is not retained then I am sure we would be objecting to that.”

CBHA said it is committed to delivering a high quality development that is sympathetic to its setting and the wishes of local people.

A spokesman added: “The new building will reflect the history of the current building by incorporating some of its features or replicating the shape of the windows."

At a Leytonstone Ward forum meeting, residents also raised concerns the proposed blocks would cause congestion and parking problems.

CBHA responded by saying it plans to integrate new residents into the community with a street party and introduce a car-share scheme.

Residents have expressed relief that there will not be a pub on the site, after years of crime and anti-social behaviour associated with the venue.

CBHA hopes to submit its planning application at the end of March.