Enfield Borough Council has scrapped plans for a synthetic sports pitch in Palmers Green after residents opted against the idea.

Residents in Millicent Grove and Cherry Blossom Close in Palmers Green informed the council that they no longer wanted a sports pitch and changing rooms and preferred an open grass space and multi-use games court.

Emilie Hook of Millicent Grove was initially in favour the idea but changed her mind as she thought it was unnecessary.

She said: “A green space is perfectly fine, we don’t need floodlights and an artificial surface, that is unnecessary, I would prefer a much more natural surface that can be used by all.”

Draznen Arvaj, also of Millicent Grove said: “I have a five-year-old son who would be able to use the games area far better than a synthetic pitch. A pitch like the one proposed would have just been a money-spinner.”

The development was to be built by Fairview homes who will apply to Enfield Borough Council for three houses to be built where changing rooms had been planned.

Enfield Council’s cabinet member for environment, Councillor Chris Bond, said: “Since the results of the consultation came in, we’ve been in negotiations with Fairview Homes who own the land so we can meet the wishes of residents.

“I’m delighted that we’ve made fantastic progress has been made and although there are a number of phases which need to be completed before land can be transferred and the play area and multi-use games area constructed we have reached an outline agreement with Fairview Homes to transfer the land into our ownership so we can carry this work out.”