Mawney ward councillor hits back at Leader of the council after stating he was not opposed to building on greenbelt land.

Former Mayor and Mawney ward Councillor Dilip Patel has hit back at Councillor Ray Morgon Leader of Havering Council, after he stated on BBC London that he “was not wedded personally to the greenbelt because you can build on that.”

Councillor Patel told the Havering Daily: “I appreciate that there are housing pressures and the council have a duty to do all that it can to boost supply for local people. However, ‘greenbelt’ disposal should only ever be considered as a last resort, not a first response. With careful consideration being given on a site by site basis.

“The leader’s declaration in his BBC interview implies that such an approach is not to be abandoned in favour of throwing open the large tracks of greenbelt for development.

“It is a signal to every developer in the country that Havering is now to be a developer’s playground.”

In response Councillor Morgon told the Havering Daily: “None of us want to build on greenbelt land but unfortunately we have to meet government housing targets and housing targets by the London Mayor.

“The St George’s development shows that we can build houses and have lots of open space rather that a Romford Ice rink development that will see lots of blocks of flats and very little green space.

“I am not wedded to the greenbelt as I said, but that does not mean I want to build on it.”