A council has been accused of “ignoring residents’ feedback” when it submitted a bid to house three famous London markets.

Kartik Parekh, from Barkingside, has accused Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal of “doing what he sees fit” regarding the authority’s bid to provide the next home for Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfields markets.

Last month, the council discovered its bid to bring the markets to a 162-acre site in Fairlop was unsuccessful and neighbouring borough Barking & Dagenham had instead been selected.

But before launching the bid the council conducted a public consultation on the issue.

Now, information from a Freedom of Information request submitted by Mr Parekh has revealed the majority of responses to the consultation were in opposition to the bid.

Of the 64 responses, 67 per cent were against the proposals.

Only six per cent of respondents stated they supported the proposals completely. Eight per cent indicated they supported the proposals “with reservations”.

A total of 11 per cent of respondents also indicated they had “some concerns” about the suggestions.

In a separate question, 30 per cent stated they saw “no benefits” to the bid or the idea of rehousing the three markets within the borough.

At a full council meeting on June 20, Mr Parekh presented a petition launched by resident Chris Gannaway against the three markets bid which gathered more than 3,300 signatures.

Mr Parekh said: “I am left perplexed at how these responses helped in shaping a “strong, credible proposal” as mentioned by Cllr Athwal.

He continued: “At the council meeting on June 20, in response to my speech for the petition to debate on this matter which had more than 3,300 signatures opposing the three markets development, Cllr Athwal said that he makes ‘no apology’ for seeking to bring the three markets to Redbridge.

“It seems that he is ignoring residents’ feedback and doing what he sees fit.”

A council spokesperson said: “Bringing three world famous markets to the borough offered a golden opportunity to secure massive investment and create thousands of jobs.

“The drop-in sessions we held were extremely helpful and the feedback received helped shape key elements of our bid on transport and green infrastructure. Whilst disappointed our ambitious scheme was not chosen, we remain committed to attracting major investment.”