Campaigners have been victorious in a battle to have plans for a “toxic” cruise port in east Greenwich sunk.

Morgan Stanley, the bank and finance company behind the Enderby Wharf scheme, has told Greenwich Council it has shelved its controversial vision for a cruise liner terminal following community concerns over pollution.

The plans would have allowed giant cruise ships to dock up and keep their engines running to power themselves.

Campaign group No Toxic Cruise Port for London (NTCPFL) said one ship would emit the same level of pollution as more than 600 lorries.

NTCPFL has been backed by thousands of people who said allowing ships to dock without hooking up to on-shore power would be a disaster for families on both sides of the Thames.

In a letter seen by this newspaper, the American banking giant says fresh proposals are in the pipeline – no longer featuring a port.

Laura Eyres, one of the lead campaigners and organiser of East Greenwich Residents’ Association, said: “We are all absolutely dancing for joy now that confirmation has come through this morning from Morgan Stanley that they plan to shelve the plans for the cruise terminal.

“This is fantastic news after three years’ tireless campaigning and is the right result. Local people and families living on both sides of the river in Greenwich and Tower Hamlets will be breathing a sigh of relief now that they do not have to face the prospect of inhaling heavily polluted fumes from cruise ships moored at Enderby Wharf.

“It’s not only good news for local people but also for those who are fighting for cleaner air across London.”

The so-called toxic port has rumbled on since permission was granted in 2015, and pressure has been mounting all year as more and more people – including the Mayor of London – spoke out over pollution concerns.

Greenwich Council originally backed the scheme but U-turned earlier this year, calling on Morgan Stanley – which has put the site up for sale – to come up with a fresh idea.

Last night leader Dan Thorpe said he was now pushing for a riverside park to be built at the site, as well as more affordable homes.

He said: “I will be pushing Morgan Stanley – or whoever comes forward to develop the site – for a greater number of affordable homes. I’m also keen to see whether, together, we could build a new municipal park on the riverfront for all to enjoy.

“There is a long way to go now to achieve a better scheme but I’m hopeful the developers will ensure that a new community-led conversation begins as possible to ensure a better proposal comes forward.”

A petition, handed to the council by ward councillor Stephen Brain earlier this year, was backed by thousands of people.

Cllr Brain said: ““It’s great news for all residents in Peninsula ward, Greenwich, the RGB and people living north of the river.

“I think it shows what happens when our MP, the councillors and campaigning residents get together and take really good, and sound green arguments, to a council that will, and does, listen.

“There are really exciting plans in the pipeline regarding what we could do with this site now. One we have been discussing with the leader of the council, as his suggestion, is creating a riverside park. I think the park idea would be a real bonus to the area.”

It is understood that Morgan Stanley has changed its mind on the wharf following the council’s change of stance.

In a letter to the council the bank said: “As the indirect owner of the site, we have taken this change into account, and listened to the comments expressed by both the council and the broader community.

“As a result, we are discussing revised plans and proposals for the Enderby site that would no longer include a cruise terminal at Enderby Wharf and will continue to explore options to meet the needs of the council and the local community. “