THE Mayor of London has reiterated his stance on a controversial housing and retail development.

Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith last week called on Boris Johnson to investigate the council's decision to grant permission to supermarket giant Tesco to go ahead with the Highams Park scheme.

Mr Duncan Smith was unhappy about the way the decision was made on October 13 and Conservative councillors have submitted a formal complaint.

Both the council’s legal advisor and planning committee chairman Cllr Masood Ahmad, who is required to remain impartial, said a £1.5 million contribution to education and health would be lost if planning approval were denied.

But Mr Johnson's office today stated the mayor would not be going back on his decision not to direct refusal.

A spokeswoman said: “Boris Johnson has been in contact with Iain Duncan Smith about this matter.

“Having looked closely at the history of the redevelopment at Highams Park, the mayor was content for Waltham Forest Council to decide the application.

“Once the mayor has issued his decision not to direct refusal he is not permitted to change his mind.”

The development is to include 250 homes, shops and a 24-hour Tesco superstore and Mr Duncan Smith has said residents are having the scheme “rammed down their throats”.

Fears have been raised over traffic congestion and a lack of appropriate infrastructure and the Conservative MP led a protest against the development in October.

He pledged to “keep calling Boris Johnson until the next election” in a bid to put a halt to Tesco's plans.

Some residents and businesses have said they believe the scheme off Larkshall Road will bring a vital boost to the ailing local economy but Mr Duncan Smith has said Highams Park “will die” if it goes ahead.

And despite the comments from Mr Johnson's office, as well as a refusal to intervene by the Government Office for London, Mr Duncan Smith has said “the fight is not over”.

A spokesman for the MP said it was possible the mayor would look again at the decision in the new year and remained sceptical that this would be Mr Johnson's final response.