Current Issues:

The Society and the Equestrian Olympics

On 23rd March 2010 Greenwich Council gave the green light to the holding of the 2012 Equestrian Olympics and Paralympics in Greenwich Park.

This followed an extremely intensive period of consultation over several years: The Society has been in close dialogue with LOCOG, the Games organiser, about their plans - working together with other local societies about concerns which included possible damage to the Park, loss of amenity and access, traffic, and legacy. A number of important changes to LOCOG plans were secured.

At end 2009 the Society responded in great detail to LOCOG's formal application to Greenwich Council, objecting to the application on a large number of grounds. (Details available from the Society).

In granting its approval for the holding of the Games, the Council imposed a large number of conditions on LOCOG. While many Society members will be unhappy about the granting of approval, we can be satisfied that the conditions established reflect nearly all the concerns voiced.

A key condition requested and granted was the establishment of a clear consultative process for the fulifilment of the conditions by LOCOG, involving local groups including the Society.

In the period up to the Games there will be a large number of steps in this process. The Society will be working hard to ensure that all conditions are met for securing a successful Games with no damage to the Park and minimum disruption to local residents.

Members will be kept informed of progress.

You can also access the LOCOG website

www.london2012.com/greenwichparkconsultation

 

 

 

Earlier Consultation

The Society has commenced a series of 'pre-consultation' meetings with LOCOG, ahead of the anticipated formal Planning Application expected in December 2009.   Members will be advised of progress.

The Equestrian Olympics In Greenwich Park – Members’ Information Meeting
The four local amenity societies cooperating on consultation regarding the 2012 Equestrian Olympics hosted a Members’ Information Meeting in the Great Hall at Blackheath Halls on 23 September, attended by some 350 people. The meeting consisted of a presentation by senior management of LOCOG (organising body of the Games) for 50 minutes, followed by members’ questions for 70 minutes. The event was chaired by Prof Alan Williams.

Paul Deighton, Chief Executive Officer of LOCOG, opened by stressing LOCOG’s recognition of residents’ concerns on damage to the Park, and disruption, noting how much LOCOG plans had been adapted in response to these. He committed LOCOG to delivering back the Park in its original state, with a total closure of the Park limited to 4 weeks. He affirmed LOCOG’s continuing commitment to listening to and working with residents and the societies, and acknowledged the extent of local input so far.

Tim Hadaway, Equestrian Manager, outlined the events planned and their timing, stressing that the Cross Country event would be on one day only. He emphasised that there would “no impact” on the fabric of the Park, no trees removed, and that the Flower Garden and Playground would be largely unaffected. He mentioned the Test Event in 2011, which would be a 5 day event with a limited cordoning off of part of the Park for 3/4 weeks. He outlined why Greenwich is seen as an outstanding venue for the Games.

James Bulley, Director of Venues and Infrastructure, covered the extensive consultation process, including with bodies like English Heritage and Natural England. Returning to the key concerns of damage, access and disruption, he emphasised how much plans had already changed in response, including moving the arena south into the Park and the use of Circus Field for support activity: these allow the freeing up of the Old Royal Naval College site, Romney Road and more of the Park. The key heritage areas were illustrated and extensive investigations had been carried out on the trees and archaeological sites, etc.

The programme of progressive closures/reopening was shown. These will commence in April 2012 and finish in November 2012, with total closure for 4 weeks (excluding the Flower Garden and Playground, which will only close for the one Cross Country day). The 2011 Test Event had been brought forward to early July to avoid the school holidays. The Blackheath Gate entry point for spectators would be used only for the Cross Country day. A commitment to a number of legacy possibilities was covered.

Hugh Sumner, Transport Director for the Olympic Development Authority, outlined the transport issues, emphasising the strategy based on public transport and the infrastructure investment proposed e.g. for the DLR. It is now proposed to make maximum use of the A2 for supplying the Games. He sought to assure that peak use of access routes would not lead to overload. He also commented that the designated Olympic Road Network could now be reduced.

Paul Deighton concluded by summarising the benefits of the Games to Greenwich.

In the ensuing question and answer session, LOCOG participants responded to points and questions on a wide variety of issues, including:

  • concern about the threat posed by water pumping for the track to the archaeology in the Park
  • details of investment for walking and cycling
  • the threat to the trees implied by the course layout shown and a request for more detailed course plans to be put on the website
  • the impact/implications of plans for Circus Field (with its customary events) and Charlton Way 
  • plans for parking of coaches/vehicles for the Games
  • concern about the impact on an already overloaded transport system, particularly during the rush hour
  • the opportunity for the amenity societies and the local community to work together to realise the potential of the Games
  • the opportunity the Games provide to work with local schools
  • the status of the budget for the Equestrian Events
  • the possible alternative use of the Heath for the Cross Country course
  • the need for careful use of the Park’s own water reservoirs
  • the preference for rail services on the Greenwich line to include Charing Cross as a terminus
  • the management of spectator numbers
  • the likelihood that reinstatement of grass in the Park would take longer than stated
  • the detailed security plans and their implications, including on possible ID for residents and access to properties near the site.
  • the possible need for high-level fencing as part of the security effort
  • concern about invasive digging up and irrigation of the Cross Country course
  • the threat to acid grasslands
  • possible long term scarring of the Park, resulting from track work
  • the threat to the Rose Garden in the peak flowering season, and the need for maximum access to this site
  • the comparison with the Weymouth Olympic site consultation
  • the great opportunity the Games offer as a window on Greenwich for the world
  • questioning why Greenwich is the best location, especially in economic terms
  • the threat to existing local activities, incl a local riding school, of Lottery money being diverted away to the Games, and the resulting “legacy” issue.
  • the opportunity for a legacy in the form of privileged access to the Games for local children and residents         

In conclusion, Paul Deighton committed to further listening and consultation - including in relation to the formal Planning Application due later this year - and reemphasised the excitement and opportunity the Games will offer.

Many members have expressed interest in the visual aids used by LOCOG at the Societies' Information Meeting on the Equestrian Olympics held on 23 September.  

At our request LOCOG have now made them all accessible at:   http://www.london2012.com/news/consultations/greenwich-park.php   

 

The NOGOE campaign against the holding of the Equestrian Olympics has released a major report detailing their objections to the event. 

You can access this via the NOGOE website www.nogoe2012.com


 

 

 

 

 
  © The Blackheath Society 2009