A Wandsworth Council commitment to getting support for the Formula E event in Battersea Park has been questioned as the decision on the future event is due this evening (Tuesday).

Emails between Councillor Jonathan Cook and representatives from the Mayor of London's office, sent before the event in June, state that the council was keen to win over the Friends of Battersea Park group, ahead of the electric car racing event.

November 20: Formula E Battersea Park: Wandsworth's Labour councillors pledge to vote against return

November 17: Promises of a quieter Formula E 2016 as five groups object to its Battersea Park return

September 17: Battersea Park campaigners rev up pressure on Wandsworth Council to stop Formula E race

In one email, Coun Cook tells Edward Lister, Deputy Mayor, Policy and Planning that "getting the Friends on board is critical".

In another case, the emails, which were released through a Freedom of Information request, suggest the group could be invited to a testing day in Donington.

Now, the group, as well as others such as Save Battersea Park, feel their support is no longer "critical" to the event's return.

John Fox, chairman of the Battersea Park Action Group, said: "How can the council proceed without the critical support of the Friends?

"Is it somehow less critical now that the Friends have made it quite clear they are not on board?"

In a letter to the council, the chairman of the Friends of Battersea Park, Frances Radcliffe wrote that the event was not appropriate for the Grade II listed Victorian park.

Mrs Radcliffe wrote: "Even taking account of the arguments in favour of continuing with Formula E, the Friends are overwhelmingly against further racing in the park.

"Closing the park for four days in mid-June, other than the Riverside Walk and the area south of Chelsea Gate, was unacceptable.

"The Friends share the view in the Heritage Impact Assessment that the ‘loss of normal use of and access to the Park and its facilities, in varying degrees, over a three week period is unacceptable’."

A poll run by the Wandsworth Guardian attracted more than 350 votes, with 301 voting no to the event's return and 63 voting in favour of it.

A spokesman for Wandsworth Council said: "The views of the friends, plus those of other local amenity groups, and from all the people who took part in the consultation will all be considered very carefully before any decision is made."

A decision is due to be made by the council on November 24.