Redbridge Council have performed a U-turn on the plans after being faced with legal threats from the club .
Last autumn the council decided to negotiate with the Irons and the plan was for a large section of Oakfield Playing Fields, occupied by Bealonians Football Club to be handed to the Hammers for a fee.
Bealonians have used the site for the past 20 years and and has 600 players which includes several youth teams. The Essex-based club reacted by threatening legal action, a move which has seen the council back off.
In a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council’s chief legal officer told the Save Oakfield Society it “intends to recommence the process afresh”.
Facing questions about Redbridge Council’s “intentions” at a council meeting, leader Jas Athwal said he is awaiting “legal advice”.
The Ilford Recorder reports that he added: “When we have that we will give it the due respect and scrutiny going forward, certainly once we get the advice we will talk to the various users, and if we have to start the process we are again happy to do that.”
Claret and Hugh says: This is good news and demonstrates how the little guys can make their case against council officialdom and big time football clubs. Cut off development at grass roots level and you are cutting arms and legs off football as we have always know it and the dreams of kids making the big time. Well done Bealonians.
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