KNOWSLEY Council's decision to sell off 10 per cent of its parks and green spaces to raise money for a charitable trust to maintain the borough's remaining parks has been deferred for reconsideration.

A meeting of the authority's Sustainable Borough Scrutiny Committee met this week to discuss the decision.

The committee unanimously agreed to refer the decision back to cabinet for reconsideration.

The Star reported last month when the council unanimously agreed to the move, which was the recommendation of an independent review into the parks' future management.

The plan was for 10 per cent of the borough's parks and green spaces to be surrendered for new development over the next 15 years.

The council said the income received will create a £40m endowment which will be held in and managed by a newly-created charitable Trust, with interest generated from this to be used by the Trust to fund future maintenance.

The authority added this will safeguard the future of the borough’s parks forever.

Among the 17 green spaces surrendered in the move is King George V Playing Fields in Prescot.

The decision was met with heavy criticism from residents.

Knowsley Council's cabinet will now reconsider the matter.

A spokesperson for Knowsley Council said: “The Sustainable Borough Scrutiny Committee met to consider the call-in of the Cabinet decision (November 28) regarding the future funding of Knowsley’s parks and green spaces.

“Following in-depth consideration, the Scrutiny Committee have unanimously decided to refer the decision back to Cabinet for reconsideration – this will take into consideration the additional information and evidence presented at Scrutiny Committee.

"Members of Cabinet can consider all details before making a final decision.”