AN ELATED campaigner has spoken of the “wonderful feeling” he got after hearing that a playing field he fought to save will be protected from a housing development plan.

Howard Berlin, 66, of Longwood Gardens, a chartered surveyor, was one of 7,000 people to object to Redbridge Council’s plans to build 600 homes on Oakfield Playing Field, Barkingside.

Mr Berlin, who was lead petitioner for the Save Oakfield Society (SOS) group, hailed the result’s lasting impact on the community.

“It’s unbelievable. I was very excited and was always very confident that we would win on the Green Belt issue.

“It’s a wonderful thing to be part of a campaign which has a positive effect on people’s lives. Two-thousand people use that facility every week at no cost to the council. The thought of taking it away is horrendous.

“To know it will go on for many years is a wonderful feeling. Doing something for the local community is a wonderful thing. I’d also like to thank Councillor Joyce Ryan for her involvement from day one, she’s an absolute star.”

Oakfield’s fate was announced at a council meeting on Thursday, September 14.

SOS ran a fierce campaign ever since Redbridge Council first proposed using green belt sports ground as a potential site for housing when its Local Plan 2015-2030 was first drafted.

Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North, hailed those who fought to protect “a much-loved community space.”

He said: "I'm so pleased for Oakfield campaigners who've mounted one of the most professional and effective campaigns I have ever seen.

“With patience, persistence and determination they put forward a well-argued and well-evidenced case to save a much-loved community space. They deserve all of the credit for this outcome.”

"I am also relieved that the Local Plan will now go ahead without the inclusion of the proposed Oakfield development. Labour's commitment to build new homes and regenerate our town centres is just what this borough needs after years of Tory inaction and neglect."

Cllr Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge Council, confirmed that the planning inspector advised housing targets could be met without building over the land, but defended the decision to leave “all options on the table.”

He said: “We have received the planning inspectors 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.”

He thanked campaigners and residents for their input.

Draft plans to build homes on the fields were approved by 31 votes to 21 in council in July 2016.

Those in favour of the move said it was in the interests of the wider borough to make the plans.

Councillor Helen Coomb said: “Our London-wide housing target is 16.845 homes, but we have calculated Redbridge needs over double that in the next 15 years.

“That is why on balance we take the view this piece of land should be included in the development plan.”

The council submitted the Local Plan to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on March 3 for independent examination.