Residents celebrated victory after plans to rip up part of Morden Park and build a floodlit football centre with a licensed bar on the site were dropped by

target="_blank">Merton Council.

The u-turn followed a sustained campaign against the proposal, forcing the local authority to launch a nine-month independent consultation over future development plans.

Morden residents were previously told by the council’s leader to “get over” the issue - sparking a battle that attracted national media coverage and even a legal challenge to protect the park by designating it a village green.

Jackie Schneider of Hillcross Avenue, who led the campaign, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled. The thing that has pleased me more than anything else is that we forced a proper, open consultation.

“The worry all along was that this project would be pushed through the back door. All we said was listen to the residents and park users, so we feel absolutely vindicated by the decision.

“We were told to get over it and that it was impossible for the council to change its mind. But we said no, we won’t get over it and carried on campaigning. This is a real victory for local democracy.”

Merton Council cabinet member for environment and leisure services, Councillor David Simpson, said the local authority was adamant an independent consultation should let as many people as possible have their say.

He added: “As a result we now we have a comprehensive idea of what people are and aren’t looking for in their park.

"We are so lucky to have more than 100 acres of open green space in the park and will continue to ensure any proposals for the park would only further enhance the area.”

Full results of the consultation can be found at merton.gov.uk/mordenparkvision.

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