LESS than three months after being granted conservation status the historic Wanstead Grove housing estate has already been declared 'at risk' by English Heritage.

The affulent area, bejewelled by Edwardian houses, is one of many suffering from gradual deterioration such as plastic windows, poorly maintained roads, unsightly satellite dishes and unsympathetic extensions.

In response English Heritage is launching a Conservation Areas at Risk campaign to encourage local residents, local groups and councils to work together to protect the unique character and appearance of special places under threat.

The Counties Residents Association (CRA) and Wanstead Society successfully campaigned for conservation status after seeing a growing number of developers covet large properties for space to build flats.

CRA chairwoman Helen Zammett said: "The area is definitely damaged as our pavements are a mess and our street lighting looks like something out of War of the Worlds when it should be in keeping with the surroundings like in South Woodford's George Lane.

"We want to produce a booklet for our residents to explain what conservation status means and what they can and can't do.

"Conservation status is not an absolute defence but it's the best defence we have and we need the commitment of the community to make it work."

But Wanstead Grove is not the only 'at risk' area in the borough with Woodford Bridge also included within the 81-strong London list.

Earlier this month an investigation was launched when a Victorian shop in Wanstead High Street, which formerly housed Truffles chocolate shop, was destroyed without planning permission.

The Cottage, in Broomhill Walk, Woodford Green, and Little Monkhams, in nearby Monkhams Lane, are both examples of historic buildings within conservation areas that have been under threat from developers in recent months.

Nigel Barker is head of regional partnership for London at English Heritage.

He said: "Wanstead is a modest 'arts and crafts' inspired houses which are not as grand as some but are still a coherent representation of the period.

"We are particularly concerned about developers demolishing houses for blocks of flats."

Visit english-heritage.org.uk/conservationareas for more information including how to get involved with the campaign.