A controversial application to move Streatham Ice Rink to Brixton was approved last night despite massive public opposition.

The application to move Streatham Ice Rink for three years to the site of Pope’s Road car park, in Brixton, was carried by three votes to one - with one abstention by Councillor Jane Edbrooke.

An application to move the Pope’s Road car park to Porden Road, in Brixton Hill, was also approved, by four votes to one.

More than 20 public speakers at the meeting objected to the car park and ice rink moves, which are changes to the original section 106 agreement between Tesco and Lambeth Council, at the six-hour meeting in the town hall.

Parents of children who use the ice skating facilities, campaigning groups, traders and councillors argued that Pope’s Road was a “no-go area”, as mentioned in the planning report, and that moving the car park to Porden Road would be prejudicial to Brixton market.

A former Mayor of Lambeth, Lloyd Leon, said the committee was not taking into account gang issues and that tensions could increase if young people from other areas were to come to Brixton to use the rink.

He said: “If you accept this ice rink here (in Brixton) the blood of these people will be on your hands. The police will try their best, but they will not be able to prevent gang warfare.”

The original planning application by giant retailer Tesco asked for permission for the £100m redevelopment of the Streatham Hub site in Streatham High Road which would include a new ice rink, a swimming pool, health and fitness facilities and 250 residential units.

Initially, Tesco and the council agreed the ice rink would remain open during the construction of the new leisure centre, but the retailers applied for a variation of the section 106 agreement, asking for the ice rink to be demolished and temporarily relocated at Brixton, to speed up construction.