By Else Kvist Councillors at Tower Hamlets have agreed to give a historic part of London s East End conservation area status. An emergency report went before the Labour cabinet last night recommending

By Else Kvist

Councillors at Tower Hamlets have agreed to give a historic part of London's East End conservation area status.

An emergency report went before the Labour cabinet last night recommending councillors to designate Limehouse Cut a conservation area after a notice was served on the council to demolish a historic building in Limehouse.

Councillors recently rejected plans to tear down the 1930s Labour Exchange on Burdett Road to make way for an 11-storey block of flats and shops, following protest from residents.

A conservation area proposal from residents keen to preserve the river and the buildings along it was then brought forward because of the imminent risk of the former Employment centre facing demolition.

A petition to give the area 'local listing' was signed by 185 residents after the Government rejected proposals to list the Employment Exchange. Conservation status will allow the council to control more closely the development of the area.