PLANS for homes on Yiewsley Recreation Ground, which is protected by a covenant against development, are under fire from Hillingdon’s opposition Labour group.

It says the land came under council control in 1934, but for recreational use only.

Labour says the Conservative-led council has not demonstrated the benefits of its development plans to residents who have campaigned to save the park.

Conservatives say the building of affordable housing on a brownfield site comes at a time when many people are trying to get on the property ladder.

A Labour spokesman claimed the council had purposely kept thed land boarded up and now claimed that, as it has not been used since 2011, is no longer needed by the community.

Yiewsley Ward councillor Sital Punja said “Residents have been fighting this appropriation for several years and have been asking for consultation on what the community would like there. Sadly this has not happened.

“This decision is not for the betterment of Yiewsley residents and the Conservatives should be ashamed of themselves for this land grab.”

Conservative leader Cllr Ian Edwards responded: "I am disappointed, but sadly not surprised, that Hillingdon Labour does not want to look to the future. 

"This scheme will deliver much-needed affordable housing, a new library 30% bigger than the current one, and improvements to the park.

“Times have changed over the last 100 years and the use of council owned land needs to change accordingly to benefit communities. It is clear Labour is stuck in the past.”