WEST HAM legend Sir Trevor Brooking has thrown his support behind a campaign to save sports pitches being turned into houses.

The Save Oakfield Society (SOS) continued its fight to save its beloved sports pitches in Fencepiece Road, Barkingside, from being concreted over for 600 new homes with its AGM last Thursday (April 6).

The meeting at the site’s Jack Carter Pavilion was “packed out” with around 130 people, including one of its newest and most famous members, former Hammers midfielder Sir Trevor.

SOS campaigner Howard Berlin said he is "delighted" the former Ilford County High School star is backing the fight, having played at Oakfield numerous times.

He said: “It was a fantastic surprise to see him there.

“He’s passionate about playing fields and sees the importance of keeping Oakfield as it is.

“He knows it’s the wrong place to build houses, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”

With the help of a solicitor SOS is preparing evidence to submit to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate in June after London Mayor Sadiq Khan blocked Redbridge Council’s development plans for the site.

The council want to release the land from the green belt to build 600 homes, which it claims are fundamental to meeting its housing targets.

Mr Berlin said: “This isn’t just about green belt land in Redbridge, it’s about the rest of London and the rest of the country.

“Oakfield is on the front line – this has become a national issue.

“If we can save Oakfield it sets a precedent for protecting the green belt everywhere.

“This isn’t a question of Conservative versus Labour, because nationally they both have the same view on it.

“This is just Redbridge Council trying to tear up the green belt by using back door methods to sell Oakfield off to developers to make money.”

Labour MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting made a speech at the meeting, promising to “support campaigners every step of the way”.

He said: “I was so glad to see the passion of campaigners reflected in the room at the AGM.

“We all know sport has an important role to play in health, wellbeing, personal development, and bringing people together.

“It’s a valued local asset for people of all ages.”

Redbridge’s Conservative London assembly member Keith Prince also spoke in fervent support of the campaign.

He said: “Sadiq Khan has officially blocked the council’s plans to remove the planning protection on the land, which was a turning point in our campaign.

“But it didn’t end there and we continue our battle to ensure they listen to the weight of opposition and takes the development of Oakfield off the table once and for all.”

SOS members also stressed how Redbridge’s housing targets can be met elsewhere, without “destroying the best playing fields in the borough”.

Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal has insisted the clubs that play at Oakfield will have “equal if not better” facilities down the road at Hainault Recreation Ground.

He claims the Planning Inspectorate will be forced to give the council development the green light to help solve the borough’s housing crisis.

He said: “The Oakfield plan means we can provide the clubs with better facilities just 400m down the road and provide the housing we desperately need.”

But SOS is still not convinced and remains confident the plans will be thrown out by the Inspectorate later this year.