Councillors clashed in a heated evening of debate over how to solve the burgeoning housing shortage in Redbridge last night (Thursday).

Three petitions were debated during a four-hour full council meeting at Redbridge Town Hall, Ilford High Road, after each gained more than 1,000 signatures triggering the discussions.

First, members received a petition with 1,500 signatures calling for all parties to suppport the removal of Oakfields Playing Fields from the local plan.

A second petition, which received 3387 signatures, called on the council to ditch any proposals for Wanstead and Woodford Development Corridor.

A third petition - which received 1550 signatures – opposed the overdevelopment in South Woodford in particular a planning brief outlining proposals for a 10-storey tower block on the Station Estate.

See our website throughout the day for more coverage of the meeting.