Redbridge’s council leader has said he has “no problems” with his former deputy Wes Streeting coming out against plans to build on Oakfield playing fields.

In his Recorder column, Ilford North MP Wes Streeting – who was elected last month after beating predecessor Lee Scott by just 589 votes – said he had “wrestled with his conscience” over the controversial inclusion of the site in the council’s local development plan.

The politician – who is still a ward councillor for Aldborough – was elected deputy leader of the Labour group in 2011, but stepped down from the position after his election to MP.

Mr Streeting said it was hard to look on the proposal unfavourably against the backdrop of Redbridge’s housing shortage, but stressed he was “reflecting the will of people who elected me to stand up for their interests”.

In February, Conservative Lee Scott presented a 5,000-strong petition to parliament opposing building on Oakfield.

Council leader Cllr Jas Athwal said Mr Streeting was “representing his constituents”.

“If you read Wes’s statement very carefully, he absolutely understands there needs to be houses built and the need for a strategy.

“He is representing his constituents. I can’t actually say he’s taking a stance that I should be taking.

“Wes has come out in favour of his residents, which I have got not problems with because he’s representing those people. I’m representing those people but I’m representing the whole borough.”

Cllr Athwal said he had been accused of making a “U-turn” on Oakfield after the final decision on the local plan was delayed, with an extraordinary meeting cancelled earlier this month.

“This is the most important decision in a generation and we have got to get it right,” he added.

Leader of the opposition Cllr Paul Canal said: “I am pleased Wes Streeting has changed his mind.

“However he will be open to charges of blatant cynical opportunism and gesture politics if he fails to bring the Labour administration with him.”