A new primary school has been given the go-ahead by Enfield Borough Council.

The London Community Learning Trust's application to build a 420-place primary school and games area at Ladysmith Road open space, in Upper Edmonton, was given the green light despite opposition from neighbours.

The plans for the Meridian Angel C of E Primary School are part of the Meridian Water masterplan, which will see thousands of new homes built, as well a second school and a train station.

Dr Alf Linny, of residents group Residences of Edmonton Angel Community Together (REACT) spoke against the proposed school.

Dr Linny said: “The fact it is only known as an open space is unfair, it should be known as a park and is used by many runners everyday and has a play area for children.

“This is the only green space in the area and it is being taken away. It seems as if the council is compensating for a community that doesn’t exist and punishing one that does.

“Passing this decision will give children in the area nowhere to play and added traffic in the area will be a major problem for people in the area.”

The plans have been revised to keep a small part of the open space as the Rays Road open space is developed in the Meridian Water master plan.

Rob Hannon spoke on behalf of the school, which will be run by St John the Evangelist Church, which bought the space from the council.

He denied the decision was sacrificing an existing community for a future one.

He said: “We have been inundated with people asking to come to our current primary school which is in desperate need of expansion and this provision will cater for current local people.

“We understand the concerns of some residents but we believe the school is genuinely needed by people currently living in the area.”

The school has also been built for people who will live in the new Meridian Water area, with another school also set to be built.

Committee members debated the decision with Cllr Derek Levy admitting it was a “tough call” to make.

However, the need for new schools prevailed and the decision was passed with eight in favour and three abstentions.