THE post office on High Road, South Woodford, could be saved because of the number of new homes being built in the area, it has been claimed.

An emergency public meeting heard that industry chiefs would only reconsider closures if evidence of substantial new business could be provided.

And campaigners believe that with 1,000 new homes coming into the area and the enormous Queen Mary's Gate and Room Terrace developments still to come, the South Woodford branch should be saved.

Postwatch London chairman Roger Darlington, who represents the postal service consumer watchdog, laid out the reasons behind the cost-saving programme.

He said: "The model the Post Office uses is based upon four criteria: the number of transactions, how close is another post office, how large is the next nearest post office and does the closure financially benefit the Post Office?"

"To change the Post Office's mind you have got to show that they haven't taken into account regeneration projects where more customers will come."

Judy Linard, of Derby Road, South Woodford, explained how vital the branch is to daily life.

She said: "I'm a freelance designer and I go to that post office every day to send large parcels.

"At the moment, I'm able to walk down there but if it was to go then it would add another hour to my day.

"There are always massive queues going out of the door at the George Lane branch and if I find it difficult then how are elderly people going to cope?"

Redbridge Council cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Keith Prince expressed dismay that no one from Post Office Ltd was present to answer questions directly.

He joked: "There was going to be a representative but it's such a small organisation that they couldn't spare someone. They probably closed down the department!"

Church End ward councillor Hugh Cleaver said: "To close the South Woodford post office will be a retrograde step and the council has taken this as a very serious issue.

"Planning permission has been granted for 1,000 new dwellings, a lot of which are sheltered housing, and with many of these people unable to walk far it will have a dramatic impact on the community there."

The council now plans to make a formal representation to the Post Office outlining the case for retaining each of Redbridge's five threatened branches.