CAMPAIGNERS have warned that redevelopment plans could “destroy” Greenwich Market.

Traders, shoppers, residents and councillors turned out for yesterday’s protest against plans to develop the 1950s buildings and replace them with a new market, shops and a 100-room hotel.

They held up a sign saying “save Greenwich Market” while passing cars tooted their horns in support.

Original plans by site owner Greenwich Hospital were unanimously turned down one year ago by a Greenwich Council planning board.

Critics of the scheme compared it to Dartford’s Bluewater shopping centre and complained that the size of the project would lead to an overdevelopment of the area.

Now Greenwich Hospital is appealing the decision and has submitted a revised version of its plans, including minor changes such as retaining and recovering the market roof.

The new plans are expected to be turned down at a planning board on Thursday with council officers saying the proposals “would still constitute overdevelopment of the site and would still result in substantial harm” to the area.

Recommending board members turn it down, officers conclude the amendments “do not address the fundamental flaws of the scheme”.

Ward councillor Cllr Maureen O’Mara, who organised Sunday’s protest, said: “I’m a local councillor, I live in the area, I represent it and I simply fundamentally disagree with the plans to redevelop the market.”

She added: “I think these plans are really just about destroying the market and putting a 100-room hotel there.”

If the scheme is approved the current market would be closed for two years from 2013, with traders being relocated to Monument Gardens.

But Cllr O’Mara, who was joined at the protest by fellow ward councillors Cllr David Grant and Cllr Matthew Pennycook, said she was concerned the plans would lead to some traders losing their stalls.

She said: “We’re just trying to do our best for Greenwich.

“They say they won’t start building till 2013 - after that you’ll never see the market again like it was on Sunday.

“We think it’s a jewel in London’s crown.”

Resources director for Greenwich Hospital Edward Dolby said the redevelopment would have “essentially the same footprint and character” as the current site and added that Cllr O'Mara's view was “hard to understand”.

He said: “The hotel that features in our regeneration plans will be a welcome addition to the town centre and not a threat or competitor to the market.

“Rather, it should provide additional custom for our traders.“

A further protest is planned for September 7 when a public inquiry will consider Greenwich Hospital’s appeal at Woolwich Town Hall.