The council blocked a motion to commit to protect a playing field from development last night.
After more than four hours in the chamber at Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford, Labour councillors voted not to pass the motion put forward by Cllr Keith Prince (Con, Barkingside).
It came after a deputation of Save Oakfield Site (SOS) campaigners put the case forward for protecting Oakfield Playing Fields, Forest Road, Barkingside, from housing development.
The group’s petition received more than 7,000 signatures after Redbridge Council earmarked the site for development last year.
Answering a question from the public gallery about the playing fields, Cllr Helen Coomb (Lab, Clementswood) said: “We’re in the process of finalising the local plan.”
The cabinet member for Planning, Economy and Regeneration added: “The council isn’t in a position to give a guarantee.”
See next week’s Recorder for full coverage of the meeting.
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