WALTHAM Forest Council has confirmed it still intends to use disputed green space to build a new school even though the land cannot be seized.

The authority previously attempted to gain control of the land on the Leyton Sports Ground, off High Road, under section 122 of the Local Government Act.

Section 122 allows local authorities to appropriate land in certain circumstances for the purposes of new developments.

And although it was recently confirmed this would not be possible as part of the land is held in trust for recreational purposes, council leader Cllr Chris Robbins is still determined to build on the land.

He said: "Following recent correspondence, the council will be meeting the Charity Commission as soon as possible to discuss how our plans for Leyton Sports Ground can meet the original charitable objectives for the site.

"We believe that Building Schools for the Future provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure the future of the site for the benefit of young people and the whole community.

"We are not proceeding with the legal process of 'appropriation of land', but do still plan to build a school on part of the site, as well as improving the sport and leisure facilities already there.

"We will work with the Charity Commission to achieve this."

The Charity Commission has confirmed a meeting is to be arranged to discuss possible future proposals. The council’s plan to build a new 1,700-pupil school on part of the ground was met with fierce local opposition.

The trust school will be created by the “merger” of George Mitchell and Beaumont Primary, and Norlington School for Boys.