Three thousand petitions to halt plans to build on green spaces have been handed into 10 Downing Street by an 11-year-old supporter.

Brocket and Manford Way Protest Group started the petition to Redbridge Council to appeal against proposed plans to build temporary modular units in Chigwell, Essex in January.

The council is proposing to house around 90 homeless families in the two green spaces in Hainault.

It is planning to build 30 family-sized units of modular temporary accommodation in Brocket Way Park and 60 family-sized units in Woodman Road, near Manford Way.

But campaigners claim the plans would mean more traffic, greater demand on local resources such as schools and GP surgeries and a reduction in leisure spaces available to children and families.

The protesters are fighting for more than 200 Brownfield sites to be used instead of the green spaces for the homeless plan.

Victoria Williams, 11, delivered the petition to 10 Downing Street on Friday (March 8).

She attended the government office alongside protest group members Sam Chapman, Ashley Papworth, Caroline Porter, and Redbridge councillor Howard Berlin and Conservative Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge Keith Prince.

Miss Williams had previously spoken out about the cause in a speech to Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal at Hainault Local Forum.

A similar block of prefabs has already been built four miles away in South Woodford, and now Redbridge Council and the construction firm Elliott have submitted planning applications to put 90 container homes on Brocket Way Park and Woodman Road, near Manford Way Park, for ten years.

The latter site, where 60 of the modular units are proposed, will also see the demolition and revamping of the park's 'multi-use games area and outdoor gym equipment'.

Mrs Papworth said: "You need to listen to your residents, the residents of Hainault value their green spaces and you have the power to pull these applications and we urge you to do that."

As well as handing the petition into 10 Downing Street, the group visited the Houses of Parliament and City Hall to share their message.

Cllr Berlin said: "The loss of the last two pieces of green spaces on the Hainault Estate would be disastrous for the Hainault community. It’s been wonderful to work with the local community and for Victoria an 11 year old to have made such a brilliant speech and now deliver a petition to 10 Downing Street I want to say I am so proud for her and her family."

Mr Prince added: "I think it's very important that the council listens to the residents. They elected the representatives they value their parks and they clearly do not support this development. So clearly the council need to listen to what the residents are saying."

A Redbridge council spokesperson said: "We understand the concerns of communities in Hainault and have been working hard to ensure as many people as possible have their say on our proposals, including extensive engagement through drop-in sessions and distribution of leaflets. "The voice of local people will continue to be heard through the planning process with their views considered fully by the planning committee, who will judge whether the sites are an appropriate use for housing."