Temporary housing for homeless people will be built – despite months of campaigning from neighbours.

At a planning committee meeting last night, Redbridge Council overwhelmingly approved the plans for the Manford Way site in Hainault.

The 60 modular homes, which will include one, two and three-bedroom units, will soon appear and provide accommodation for homeless families for a temporary period of up to 10 years.

A petition against the plans was submitted to the council with 728 signatures from those living nearby.

Those against the plans argued the loss of green space would impact the younger generation of Hainault in particular.

Last month, Redbridge Council announced plans to partially drop its plans for temporary housing in the area, removing 30 modular units from the proposed site nearby in Brocket Way, Hainault.

The news was welcomed by campaigners, but they are said to be left “totally dismayed” by last night’s decision to approve the lion’s share of the plans and all 60 units proposed for Manford Way.

The omission of larger homes in the plans has also led some to accuse the council of rushing them through and not properly consulting the public.

A leaflet handed out by the council earlier this year indicated building work was expected to begin on the site this month and last until December 2019 when the homes would be completed.

A total of eight Labour councillors voted in favour of the plans, while the two Conservative councillors on the planning committee voted against them.

Victoria Williams, an 11-year-old schoolgirl, gave a blistering speech at a local forum meeting last month, warning council leader Cllr Jas Athwal to think carefully before “an entire generation of Hainault children turn their back on your party.”

Now, residents of the area are said to be “dismayed” at the decision.

Mr D Poole of Hainault said: “The residents are totally dismayed at tonight’s decision. There is a fighting fund to contest the council’s proposal to build unwanted temporary accommodation on the Manford Way park and open space.

“Local residents having set up a Gofundme fund raising web page to raise enough funds to legally challenge the council’s decision.”

So far that fund has raised £3,000 towards an overall £20,000 legal fund target.

To see the GoFundMe page, click here.

Redbridge Council has been contacted for comment.