ANOTHER battle to prevent a high rise development in Walthamstow has begun, with a community group branding plans for a health centre and flats "unacceptable".

Waltham Forest Civic Society has joined the Fight the Height group in criticising the proposal for the site in St James Street as out of context in an area dominated by Victorian terraces.

PHCC East London Ltd wants to build 19 flats above the centre with a second phase incorporating 45 flats in a separate building.

The developments, on the junction with Brunner Road, could be as much as eight storeys high.

In a letter sent to the council objecting to the scheme, the Civic Society’s Adrian Stannard said the "piecemeal development" will not help regenerate the rundown area.

He also joined Fight the Height in criticising the lack of publicity about the plans and said the proposed height of the development is twice that laid out in the Walthamstow Town Centre Masterplan.

He wrote: "We are not against developing Walthamstow but we believe it is vital for its future prosperity that it is done properly.

"Replacing the health centre is necessary but funding it by putting up a second tower block poorly designed and not in context with the area will not help to regenerate the area.

“We urge you to reject this scheme and work with the developers and the community to create something we can be proud of and not a future problem area.”

Plans for a high-rise hotel and flats near Walthamstow Central station were recently approved, despite significant public opposition.