THE Evergreen site in Wanstead will remain an open space indefinitely after Redbridge Council formally adopted its Unitary Development Plan (UDP).

It means that under the plan, the council will refuse permission for any re-development on the land other than for recreation purposes.

It is good news for the hundreds of residents who have campaigned for several years and fought off various developers who wanted to build flats on the site.

It was also the subject of a major campaign Save the Evergreen Appeal by the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian.

Two years ago, campaigners feared the worst after the Metropolitan Police sold the land to housing developer Furlong Homes.

But following a long public inquiry, governing planning inspector Robert Forster ruled that under the council's UDP, Evergreen should remain designated as open space, making it virtually impossible to build on the land.

In a public statement, the council said: "We will refuse permission for applications for redevelopment for uses other than informal recreation on areas of designated local open space listed and shown as local open space on the proposals map."

The news was also welcomed by Wanstead MP Harry Cohen, who supported the campaign for the site to be kept as an open space.

He said:"I very much welcome this latest important protection for the local green sites, including Wanstead's Evergreen field, from development.

"I would like the site to be a significant environmental asset locally, a breath of fresh air for Wanstead residents."

It also means that under the plan, the Evergreen field, which sits just off the High Street, can be incorporated with Christchurch Green, which is also protected under the UDP.

Other sites include Woodford Wells Crostyx sports ground, Monkhams Lane; 28-30 High Street, Wanstead; Gardens at Blake Hall Crescent, Wanstead; Upper Green, Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge; Horse Ride, Woodford Road, Snaresbrook; Nightingale Lane Green, Wanstead; Pankhurst Green, Snakes Lane, Woodford Green; Salway Gardens open space, Woodford Green; Worcester Crescent open space, Woodford Green; Nutter Lane Sports Ground, Wanstead.