AN INFLUENTIAL community group has vowed to oppose the latest plan to demolish an historic former cinema.

The Wanstead Society decided unanimously yesterday (Thursday) to try and block a new application to knock down the 'Kinema' building, which is situated next to the George pub in the High Street.

The latest proposal would see the structure replaced with eight flats and a restaurant if given the go-ahead by the council.

It comes just months after a previous application for the site was turned down by the authority in November on the grounds that the proposed demolition was 'unjustified' and that the design would not preserve or enhance the surrounding conservation area.

The current twin-gabled building dates back to the late 19th Century. It became a 600-seat cinema in October 1913, had its named changed to the Wanstead Kinema in 1930 and closed in 1956 - since when it has been used as both a bingo club and a snooker hall.

Andrew Wernick, 48, a chartered building surveyor and member of The Wanstead Society - which fought successfully to get the previous application for the site rejected - said: "We will be objecting to what has been proposed and we would encourage any other concerned residents to do the same.

"It was unanimously felt that the design was unacceptable.

"Someone said it looks like a 1980s office block, and it does have a rather 80s look about it.

"We will be inviting the architects to a meeting with us to discuss retaining the front elevation of the building.

"We would like to see this retained.

"The retention of the facade is key to preserving the look of the conservation area."

Stelios Solomon, speaking on behalf of the building's owner Nam Pham - who submitted the latest application - said the new proposal was very different from the last one.

He said: "A lot of work has gone in to this design. It has been designed in keeping with the look of the surrounding area.

"We took into consideration what people said about the last design.

"You can see this by the use of old stock bricks and other materials.

"The development will benefit the area in terms of the accommodation and the restaurant. We want to invest in Wanstead.

"If we do not do anything with the current building it will just be derelict for another 20 or 30 years.

"We don't want to upset anyone.

"If it went ahead I think people would be very impressed with it."

The demolition plan will now go before the council's Conservation Advisory Panel at a date to be set.