A CONTROVERSIAL plan to knock down the historic Kinema building and replace it with a block of nine flats has been rejected by the borough's conservation watchdog.

The multimillion pound scheme, which would involve the construction of a large 'modernist' housing block next to The George pub, was turned down unanimously by the conservation advisory panel last night (Thursday) on the grounds that it was 'totally out of keeping' with its surroundings.

The decision has been welcomed by opponents of the scheme, who said it would rob the High Street of its oldest purpose-built commercial building and ruin the area's historic streetscape.

Panel member, and local historian, Peter Lawrence said he was shocked by the design of the flats.

He said: "None of us could really believe what they were proposing to replace it with.

"If this went ahead the High Street would lose a huge chunk of its built heritage.

"It is possibly Wanstead's oldest purpose-built shop, and is a fundamental part of the area's history."

Valerie Sayers, of the Wanstead Society, said the decision was 'common sense.'

She said: "It's great news, but I can't see how they could have made any other decision.

"It was just so out of keeping.

"There also didn't seem to be much thought put into where people were going to park. It's already hard enough to find spaces around here as it is."

The application will now go before the council's Regulatory Committee for a final decision.

The developer, Platform 5, has yet to comment.