Members of the public shouted from the public gallery at yesterday’s council meeting after councillors could not guarantee that a playing field would be protected from development.
Questions were put to the council by the public about the Oakfield playing fields in Forest Road, Barkingside, before someone shouted “shame on you” following Cllr Helen Coomb’s response.
Oakfield users’ questions covered concerns about the loss of the playing field and the strain on services and on air pollution if it were to be developed for housing use.
Cllr Coomb said 145 brownfield sites had been identified as part of the local plan but admitted brownfield sites alone wouldn’t meet the housing need in Redbridge.
She said all reasonable options to increase housing supply in Redbridge had to be looked at.
Deputy council leader Cllr Wes Streeting stressed that no decision to build on Oakfield had been made and that it would be subject to a public consultation.
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