2012 chiefs pledge not to spoil Greenwich Park

Games planners have guaranteed concerned locals that ancient trees in the royal park will not have to make way for the event. The pledge came as 2012 chiefs launched a public consultation over the venue in the face of unprecedented levels of opposition to their choice of venue.

Park users' groups and senior equestrian-figures have claimed that the 180-acre Park - a World Heritage site - is too small. They claim it is ill-suited to cope with the three-day event which is expected to attract 20,000 spectators. Opponents have fought a five-year battle to relocate the event, claiming that Greenwich was chosen because its historic buildings would appeal to an international television audience.

But the Games organising committee Locog has fought back in the public relations battle as it seeks to gain planning permission from Greenwich Council next year.

In a letter to local groups, including the Friends of Greenwich Park, it has made a series of promises to counter alleged misinformation from a minority of locals.

Greatest concerns has surrounded the cross-country event staged on the slopes around the Observatory which it had been claimed would necessitate uprooting ancient trees, endangering an entire avenue of oaks linking the Park to Blackheath and trampling a flower garden.

Countering these claims, Locog said it would not damage or remove trees of ecological importance. Jackie Brock-Doyle, Locog's director of communications, said: "We understand concerns about Greenwich Park but believe it will be a stunning venue in 2012 with unique features such as the Meridian Line. We want to work with local residents and Greenwich Council to make sure the local community gets involved in our plans."

Liz Coyle, chair of Friends of Greenwich Park, said: "Some people are opposed to the use of the park for the Games and in the absence of a detailed plan of the course rumours have been allowed to spread about ancient trees being cut down. We welcome the fact that Locog have put these promises in writing."

Police have arrested 14 suspected illegal immigrants working as security guards at the Olympic Park in the first security breach to hit the 2012 project. The workers, employed by security firm Safe-sec, managed to evade background checks carried out on staff by the Olympic Delivery Authority. The guards now face deportation after they were arrested in a joint operat ion between the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office's UK Border Agency.