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Olympics 'will churn up Greenwich Park'
Danny Brierley, Evening Standard16.07.08
Residents opposed to plans for the Olympics equestrian cross-country circuit to be built in Greenwich Park are to step up their protests.
The Friends of Greenwich Park group are fighting proposals to construct the four-and-ahalf-mile course that will take up much the World Heritage Site's grounds.
The cross-country event will be held on the slopes surrounding the Royal Maritime College and the old Royal Observatory.
Protesters say the oldest royal park in London, dating back to the 15th century, will be irreversibly damaged by hundreds of horses and a line of large oaks will need to be uprooted. There are also fears over deer which are currently free to roam a secure enclosure and claims that the 180-acre park will be closed to the public for up to 15 months before and during the Games.
Up to 23,000 people are expected to watch the events from temporary viewing areas.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, which was barred from a meeting of the Friends at Greenwich University-last night, will seek planning permission from the council next year but could not say how long the park would be closed or how many trees would be lost.
Chris Goodwin, a member of Friends of Greenwich Park, said: "We have been told that it is a done deal but we are continuing our fight." The group has agreed to talks with Locog about separate, smaller courses for dressage and show-jumping events.
A Locog spokesman said it was in talks with the Royal Parks about how to restore Greenwich Park to its former state after the Games.
Reader views (9)
Please leave Greenwich alone. I fell in love with this park even though i had to run round it at boarding school[Vanbrugh Castle].I've always taken my friends to see the finest 'green space',in London.
The damage that the Olympics will cause does not bear thinking about...Tim.
- Tiim, London SE14
I should like to ask those so adamantly opposed to the Olympic cross country event taking place in Greenwich Park "who, or what, could convince them that it will not have the disastrous consequences they predict?"
It seems that, so far, the reassurances of LOCOG, the various equestrian federations and the superintendent of Greenwich Park are being treated with cynicism, bordering on contempt.
I am a longstanding resident of Greenwich who has been actively involved in the preservation and conservation of its marvellous green spaces, and would be one of the first people to protest if I felt there was any longterm threat to the fabric of Greenwich Park, or its trees.
Of course it is right to maintain a regular, realistic and constructive dialogue with the organisers, but let's be positive and proud that our local park has been chosen for this "Once in a Lifetime" event.
- Margaret Dinkeldein, London Borough of Greenwich
Joe misses the point. If the Beijing Olympics can have the equestrian activities in Hong Kong, then there is almost nowhere in the UK that couldn't host them in terms of geographical separation. The London Olympics will be financed by the UK Government and there is no reason why several sports should not be held some distance from London. Why Greenwich? Why not Badminton for eventing and established show jumping venues like Hickstead for the rest? It's not as if there's a shortage of those in the UK. Why waste money on yet another venue?
- Coylum, Vancouver, Canada
There are other, larger parks in London. There is Richmond Park, for example, Windsor Park, and, not too far from the centre, Show jumping grounds in Kent. If the Government wants to 'show off our heritage' then shouldn't they be looking more clearly at other, more practical options rather than destroy what is established? Our Prime Minister's lack of inventive thought and imagination seems to run through all Government departments.. look what he's planning for energy - Coal and Nuclear Power!
- Roisin Robertson, Bromley, Kent United Kingdom
I'm a Londoner working in Beijing. I watched the Olympic cross-country event in Beas River, which used Hong Kong Jockey Club's country club and Hong Kong Golf Club. The golfers seemed to cope with the fact the course (designed by a Brit)adversely affected the place as a golf venue for a summer. Maybe it's because they realise it's an honour to host such a fantastic event. And Beas River wasn't half the venue Greenwich will be.
- Jo Mcdermott, Beijing, China
Horses are from the countryside for a reason.
- Marc Emauelle, London
This government and its toadies are running amuck, not just with regard to beautiful Greenwich Park. All over the country perfectly nice spaces are being demolished to 'design out crime', remove 'screened' areas to stop unsocial behaviour (usually that bothers no one), allow 'passive surveillance over paths, etc. There is no thought as to actually changing the behaviour patterns of humans, so truly bad behaviour just goes on and on. Along with the destruction of many little treasures of space and place.
- Helen, norwich
The decision to use Greenwich Park for a few days sport and wrecking the eco- and infrastructure of this famous view should be reversed.
The South East already has several good Equestrian centres- Hickstead, Gatcombe, Burleigh. Anyone of these will do and probably be more welcoming to the horsey set than outer London. And cheaper!
- Richard Meredith, Huntingdon, UK
The IOC is obsessed with making the games compact without any thought for costs or convenience. Just hold the eventing at Badminton or Burleigh - two of the top five eventing courses in the world, and only a couple of hours away from London. Not many hardcore eventing enthusiasts live in London anyway, for obvious reasons.
- Oliver Chettle, Bedford
