THE uncertainty surrounding the future of the Church Street playing fields in Edmonton is set to be resolved next week.

Owner Hackney Council is selling the land at an auction scheduled for Tuesday, February 26.

Hackney Council confirmed that it had received a number of inquiries for the much sought after land which currently provides football and cricket pitches for hundreds of local people.

The Independent understands that the land has been given a reserve price of £350,000 but that amount could rise to seven figures at the auction.

With planning permission, the playing fields, which are designated as metropolitan open land, would be worth millions to developers.

Among interested parties bidding at the auction will be several property firms, a large local organisation and Enfield Council.

Enfield representatives have already lodged an offer with their Hackney counterparts to avoid a bidding war.

They have made no secret of their desire to build a new primary school on the 8.8-acre site along with facilities for current users, the Edmonton Sports and Social Club.

A council spokeswoman said: "We would like to acquire the land for open space use and also want to look at the possibility of building a new primary school on the land.

"Enfield wants the site to be used fully for the benefit of local people.

"We will continue to press Hackney Council to sell the land to us rather than go to auction."

Hackney had previously floated an idea for a cemetery in the grounds but this week withdrew its planning application.