Controversial plans to demolish buildings in and around Robin Hood Gardens, including a historic school, are going before the Town Hall tonight.

Under plans for the Blackwall Reach area, the 1960s housing estate, will be demolished to make way for up to 1,700 new homes, compared with the current 252 homes.

English Heritage are opposing the demolition of the Woolmore Primary School saying its a “good example” of a neo-Georgian school and one of only six such schools in Tower Hamlets.

Local historian Tom Ridge will also argue for the preservation of the school at tonight’s meeting.

Mr Ridge said: “As a former school teacher I realise the school has got to be extended as there will be more people in the area.

“I’m just trying to preserve the existing building and proposing the school is extended.

“The school was opened in 1916 by the London County Council, as part of the schools it built between 1912 to 1918. The schools build by the LCC after 1918, when there was less money around, are not of the same quality and this one is among the best.”

London Thames Gateway Corporation which oversees parts of the site have also raised concerns about the density of the projects and proposed the number of units are reduced by 120 to 130 units.

The plans have been developed by the council and Communities Agency, in collaboration with Swan Housing which won the contract for the site.

Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “The project is truly exciting. It will enable us to deliver a net gain of affordable homes, including many family homes, to meet the growing need in the borough.”