Save Oakfield campaigners are celebrating this evening after learning that the planning inspector has sided with them and told Redbridge Council it cannot build homes on the playing field in Barkingside.
Council leader Jas Athwal said: “We have received the planning inspector’s pre-advice on our proposed Local Plan which advises that we achieve our housing targets without the need to remove Oakfield and Ford Sports and Social Club from green belt land.
“We did the right thing by putting all options on the table and allowing the inspector to decide. We are clear that delivering good growth and regeneration across the borough depends on continual engagement and dialogue with local communities and groups and we hope that groups like Save Oakfield and Ilford Noise will continue to engage.
“Thank you to all residents and campaigners involved, and we look forward to making further considerations on the inspector’s recommendations before the final decisions from the inspector on our Local Plan.”
The council had wanted to build 850 homes on the green belt land.
But campaigners fought a long battle.
More to follow
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