A planning application to demolish a bingo hall, which campaigners are battling to save, has been submitted to Havering Council.
Budget supermarket Lidl has confirmed having submitted a planning application to tear down the Mecca Bingo, on High Street, Hornchurch.
The application is now being processed by Havering Council and has not yet been made public on its website.
On March 1, Havering Council extended an Article 4 Direction to protect the 81-year-old art deco building until a decision is made.
The order preventing its demolition was served on Lidl, which owns the building, in October but had been due to expire in April.
Residents have been campaigning since July to save the former Tower Cinema from demolition.
Last month the Recorder reported that a last ditch effort was being made to have the building listed as a community asset – which would allow campaigners to make a bid to purchase it.
A total of 42 residents signed the application document, which has been submitted to the council.
More to follow next week.
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