Campaigners fighting to save Manford Way Park have lost their legal battle against the council’s plans for temporary accommodation on the site.

Residents raised more than £10,000 through a GoFundMe page towards the cost of a judicial review but this has now been denied by the High Court.

The group spent nearly £4,000 to cover the council’s legal fees alone as well as some on its own legal fees to get the case in front of a judge and some to fight the case to save Brocket Way park from similar plans - which were dropped by the council earlier this year.

A decision is yet to be made on what will happen to the remainder of the funding, which will amount to under £2,000.

Hainault residents who live close to the green space have fought for months to oppose Redbridge Council’s plans to build 60 modular housing units.

The council says the modular homes will be made up of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and will provide homes for families for a period of up to 10 years.

But protesters say the council's plans are "unfit for families" and more like bedsits with no separate living areas and no on site parking.

Protesters felt the loss of the park would hit the youngest members of the community the hardest; removing a valuable play space and safe area for children to go.

But the council’s plans will now go ahead regardless.

Ashley Papworth, of the Save Manford Way Park group, said: “A community of people from all different backgrounds joined together with the one joint aim of saving our small local parks.

“Today’s news has been hard to take. I know I am not alone when I say I am deeply upset, angry and in shock that we cannot get the result that the Hainault community deserves.

“The Hainault community stood up. We wanted to be heard. We wanted to be listened to. We wanted our views to matter.

“Where is the fairness in this process? Where is the common sense? Why did the council feel that our little park is worth less than the big parks in the richer areas? Why have they chosen to ignore a whole community?”

Ms Papworth added that a community poll will be held to decide where the remaining funds from donations will go.

She said: “It will go to a ballot through the Save Manford Way Park committee and members of our Facebook group.

“We may decide to hold free fun days to use the remainder of the funds or give it back to the community through various ways. These decisions will be made as a group and by putting it to a poll.”

Another campaigner said: “The only good thing to come out of this is the reinvigorated community spirit.”

Cllr Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge Council, said: “Although the Council is pleased with the court’s ruling that all planning procedure was followed correctly and a lawful decision was made, it is never our intention or desire to oppose residents.

"I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the residents of Hainault for fighting for what they believe in and for joining together and running a passionate campaign. Decisions like these are never taken lightly and I understand the anguish some residents must feel at this result.

"However we must balance the needs of local homeless families with the wishes of residents who already have a roof over their heads. We want to keep as many homeless families in the borough, close to their families, support networks and schools, so they can get back on their feet.

"Unfortunately the Council are not legally able to refuse the costs the court awarded following this case, however we will use all the costs plus additional funding to invest in play equipment in Hainault parks.
I hope now this case is closed we can move forward with Hainault residents and work together to invest in the local community facilities there."