Campaigners crowd fund legal challenge over permission for social housing on park

A local campaign group has crowdfunded almost half the £20,000 it seeks to take the London Borough of Redbridge to judicial review over a plan for modular social housing on part of a park.

Campaigners opposed to the Manford Park project said on their crowdfunding page that they had raised £9,500 towards their target and the planning application involved “is flawed and we can prove it”.

A Redbridge spokesperson said: “It is unfortunate that residents have felt the need to escalate the Manford Way planning decision in this way. The council has been advised that correct protocol has been followed at all times leading up to the planning decision and we are assured that the case will be settled as such.

“Although we understand residents’ concerns it is imperative that the council provide for Redbridge families devastated by the funding cuts and the housing crisis. 

“Historically low levels of investment in social housing has left us with the second smallest sector in London and thousands of people without a home and on our waiting list.”

The council said the Hainault area near the park alone had 335 families seeking a council house and 94 in temporary accommodation. 

Development on the park would “provide accommodation so that local people who are desperate for a roof over their heads can live comfortably in their borough”, it said.

Mark Smulian