THE council has backed down over plans to use disputed green space to site a new school.

In a letter sent to campaigners opposed to the plans, watchdog the Charity Commission states the council has now requested a meeting to “discuss their proposals for the site”, but will no longer "appropriate the land".

The council intended to build a new 1,700-pupil school on land appropriated from the Leyton Sports Ground, off High Road.

A section of the land is held in trust for recreational purposes, although the council previously insisted it could legally use it.

But following concerns repeatedly raised by the Charity Commission, the council has now backed down.

It is not clear what implication this will have for the planned new school, which will operate as a trust formed of a "merger" of George Mitchell and Beaumont Primary, and Norlington School.

Teachers at Norlington staged walk-outs earlier this month in protest at the plans as they believe the proposed new trust school, which they say would operate out of local authority control, will not benefit pupils.

Local campaigners have also raised concerns over the use of the land as they fear it will reduce sports provision in the area.

Responding to the council's apparent U-turn, Gill Pearson, a member of the Leyton Triangle campaign group and resident of Brewster Road, said: "I am just trying to make sense of it all.

"I hope it means they've come to their senses.

"I would be very surprised if they give up that easily though."

The council was asked to explain its decision and what it means for the future of the school plan but has so far not responded.