A LEADING campaigner in the battle to open up a derelict piece of land for public use says he is “confident” his group can put plans for the area together by the end of May.

The group of residents and community activists are hoping to save the Stanley Road playing fields site in East Finchley, which has stood unused for more than ten years.

Members have been given until the end of May to put together a viable action plan and secure backers with a view to buying the site from Barnet Council.

The council may also look at an option of selling it off to private developers to build houses on.

Rob Robertson, a member of the Finchley Development Trust, said: “Last week we held a public meeting which attracted 72 people.

“We put four options in front of them, including one for all housing and one for just an indoor sports centre and pitches.

“The one which got most support was the sports centre so that is what we are now pursuing. We have approached private backers and hope to hear back from them soon.”

The group now has just 14 weeks to put the plan in place, but Mr Robertson said there were no guarantees the council would go with any scheme put forward.

He added: “I'm confident we can get a plan together and in on time, but whether councillors go for it or not is up to them.

“We want to buy the site but keep it open for public use, have schools coming in during the day and a more commercial enterprise in the evenings for the general public.

“We recognise this proposition may not be as financially rewarding for the council as housing, but it would be for the community and we are a Big Society-style organisation. We have a lot of work to do in the next 14 weeks.”