NEW plans are to go before the council to turn a historic Leytonstone villa into flats.

The villa, which is in Whipps Cross Road and is deemed to have 'historic and architectural interest', was under threat of demolition at the end of 2008 but was saved in January this year.

Members of the Forest Residents Association (FORA) were strongly opposed to plans from developers AG Property, which included pulling the house down to replace it with 14 flats.

But the plans, to go before the council on September 29, have now been significantly altered and will instead involve refurbishing the house to turn it into just five flats.

Cllr Marie Pye, who was heavily involved in the original campaign to save the house, said: “I've seen the plans and spoken to some local residents – some are keen, some aren't.

“I want to listen to what the developers have got to say. I will move towards a pragmatic approach.

Proposals also include building two three-bedroom houses in the back garden of the villa and a petition against the plans has been submitted to the council.

It includes loss of privacy and 'an adverse impact on the setting of the retained buildings' as reasons for opposing the plans.

Cllr Pye said: “I haven't a single complaint about it myself. No one has been screaming and shouting about it.”

She added that it was a matter of compromising in order to preserve the villa's character and said she would reserve judgement until after the council's planning committee meets.

The house was built at the end of the 19th century and has been described by campaigners for its protection as 'iconic'.

The original planning application failed to gain permission as there is a requirement in place to maintain the architectural features of the house.

Cllr Edwin Northover, who organised a public meeting in opposition to the original plans, said: "Leytonstone has lost too much of its built heritage to poor planning decisions."

He added he 'welcomed revised plans'.

A group set up on social networking site Facebook to protect the house has now attracted more than 100 members.