Sutton Liberal Democrats have been criticised for claiming a "victory" by securing the "protection" of green belt land that the party's own councillors had proposed to build on.
A leaflet posted through doors in Carshalton, and carrying the names and photos of a local councillor and MP Tom Brake, this week hailed Sutton Council's decision to scrap proposals to allow development on Wellfield Gardens.
The council had earmarked the green belt site, which encompasses a riding centre for disabled children, as a potential site for development in its borough masterplan.
But in June it abandoned the proposal following a vocal campaign, including a petition signs by more than 2,000 people.
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The leaflet, headed with the Lib Dem logo and the names of the party's Carshalton South and Clockhouse councillor Amy Haldane and MP for Carshalton and Wallington Tom Brake, trumpeted a "victory for Carshalton's green belt".
It added that the Diamond Riding Centre had been "protected from future development" and said building on the site had been "recently considered," although it did not state by whom.
Ross Hemingway, who lives in Carshalton and was the Green Party's candidate for Mr Brake's seat in last year's general election, slammed the fliers as "cynical political spinning".
Mr Hemingway had played a vocal role in the campaign, led by riding centre chairman Steve Axon, against plans to build on Wellfield Gardens.
The land was one of seven protected sites in Sutton that had been identified as potentially suitable to accommodate housing or schools.
The Lib Dem leaflet that was posted through Carshalton residents' doors
Mr Hemingway said: “It’s odd because it’s their policy that they put forward, and then when they are forced into a U-turn they effectively claim victory of it.
“The truth is that massive public pressure forced them into an embarrassing climbdown.”
"Residents across the borough are tired of this cynical political spinning, yet the Lib Dems continue to play us for fools. They ought to be ashamed."
He added: “It is a well worded piece of propaganda. That leaflet will fall through letterboxes with the Lib Dem logo emblazoned on it, and you would pick it up and think it was their ‘victory’.
“There is no mention of the fact the Lib Dem council put forward the plans, and that’s the spin.
“Whatever it is, it's disgraceful.”
Sutton Green Party co-ordinator Ross Hemmingway, left, Diamond Riding Centre chairman Steve Axon, right
But Mr Brake said: “I am not sure what the problem is. It is a victory for Carshalton green belt. It is not right to say the Lib Dems are claiming victory for it.
“I suppose the issues is the council has to propose a long-term plan, and that’s a plan that has to look forward a number of years.
“They were right to put forward options, and this one was not well-received and has since been removed thanks to representations from the likes of Amy Haldane."
Mr Axon, who had warned he would have to reduce the number of horses available for disabled children at the centre if the proposal went ahead, is also quoted on the leaflet.
His quote reads: "I'm pleased that councillors have listened to concerns and I would like to thank the community for its overwhelming opposition to the removal of green belt status."
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