Plans to build a new bicycle stand in Bethnal Green’s Museum Gardens are set to be referred to another local authority for a decision.

Tower Hamlets Council submitted proposals in September to demolish a derelict toilet block in the Gardens, in Cambridge Heath Road, and replace it with 39 bicycle stands were met with fierce local opposition.

The council’s development committee is meeting on Wednesday and is likely to refer the decision to the Government Office for West Midlands. This is due to the council’s ownership of the building, and the fact that the council was the original applicant.

Residents say the redevelopment would have a detrimental on the area’s character.

The “Protect Our Park” group sent a letter to Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman welcoming the council’s decision to suspend the plans, but lamenting the “woefully inadequate” consultation which was held.

“We believe this is an ill-considered proposal that requires much wider consultation and discussion with local people in order to avoid a potentially dangerous outcome that will be damaging to an important local park and the council’s reputation”, they wrote.

A council spokesperson insisted its consultation process was in line with its statutory obligations.