RESIDENTS will be consulted if Tottenham Hotspur puts forward plans to develop land at Bancroft's rugby site.

Councillors at Thursday's full Redbridge Council meeting promised to listen to residents' views if the premiership football club submits an application to develop the land in Buckhurst Hill.

Tottenham Hotspur has so far refused to confirm or deny the rumours, but it is believed the club has spoken to Redbridge Council about developing a sports academy on the site.

The club is rumoured to have discussed relocating the rugby club if any application was submitted.

Cllr Morris Hickey, who criticised the talks for being "behind closed doors", raised his own concerns at Thursday's full council meeting.

Appealing for the talks to be more open, he also demanded a consultation to be held if any application was submitted.

Agreeing, cllr Richard Hoskins said: "Discussions have taken place, but they haven't taken place with the user of the site. I welcome the consultation being opened if an application is put forward."

Redbridge Council's cabinet member for environment and transportation cllr Lesley Hilton emphasised that no planning application had been received by the council for the site on the borders of Woodford Green and Buckhurst Hill.

And she said that legally, informal development discussions had to be kept confidential before any formal application was made.

She told the meeting: "I am told by planning officers to be aware that it is common for potential developers to have informal discussions with planning services, but they frequently don't lead to anything.

"And when such discussions are held, they are kept confidential until planning applications are received. This is the way the council works.

"But I am more than happy for residents to be consulted if a bid if made."