The fight is on to protect another landmark pub in Waltham Forest with just weeks to go until plans to turn it into a hostel are considered by the council.

Earlier this year The Lord Rookwood in Leytonstone was closed – with little notice given to its patrons.

The Tudor style building, built in 1893, was boarded up leaving local residents wondering what the future would hold.

All was revealed when new owners, Yaas Investments, submitted plans to the council to turn the upstairs of the building into an 18-bed hostel with kitchen facilities.

Residents in the area have been outraged at the thought of losing another pub for good.

In the last two months five pubs have been closed.

Illustrator Sally Pring has recently bought a house in Selby Road with her partner.

The 33-year-old said: “There is a lot of strong feeling about this in the community.

“People want a nice pub to enjoy with their families.

“It is a Trojan horse approach. I have spoken at length with James Watson from CAMRA – they say they will keep the downstairs part as a pub and only develop upstairs.

“What they will do is wait until the community lose interest, then develop all of it. If they get permission it will never, ever be a pub again.”

More than 200 people have signed a petition against the the change of use.

Many parents are concerned about having a hostel so close to schools.

Kay Aitken signed the petition citing concerns of children’s safety.

She said: “I really believe that this local land mark should not be used for a hostel.

“There are many primary schools and parks for young children within walking distance from the Rookwood and the young children s safety might be compromised as a result.”

Earlier this month Council Leader Chris Robbins vowed to begin the process of starting an Article Four Direction for all pubs in the borough – meaning that communities will have a say on their future.

At present, under permitted development rights, the change of use of a pub, in most circumstances, does not have to be decided by planning committees.

Councils have little ground on which to object to developers’ plans.

A protest against development will be held at The Roodwood from 12.30pm next Saturday.

A decision is expected to be made after November 11.