On Tuesday night, after a marathon session of the Planning Board, consent was given – with conditions attached – for London 2012 to use Greenwich Park as a venue for the Equestrian events and Modern Pentathlon.

Cllr Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, said:

“This decision means we can concentrate on working with LOCOG, Royal Parks and other key stakeholders to deliver a spectacular event in 2012.

“The planning application was subject to extensive consultation and generated a large number of responses. All this feedback has been carefully considered, and a number of planning conditions have been applied to address the issues that were raised.

“We will work closely with LOCOG to ensure these conditions are met and that we safeguard the Park and surrounding area to preserve its unique and special character.”

Councillor Nigel Fletcher, Greenwich Conservatives’ Spokesman for Culture and Olympics, commented:

“Whatever your view of the plans, it was right that the views of residents were properly heard by Lord Coe and his team, and by the Council. I want to see that public engagement continuing now that the application has been approved, including as many residents as possible. After last night there can be no doubt how much people love the Park. We will continue doing everything we can to ensure there is no damage to it as a result of LOCOG’s plans, and to ensure the Games are good for Greenwich.”

Green Party council candidate for the Peninsula Ward, Darryl Chamberlain, welcomed the formation of an advisory group to oversee the implementation and restoration but added:

“It also needs to meet in public and involve local people as much as possible.

“One suggestion was that amenity groups such as the Greenwich Society should have a role – that’s fine, but other locals should be involved too. People should not have to pay membership fees to have a say in what goes on in their neighbourhoods.”

NOGOE (No to Greenwich Olympic Equestrian Events), who had fought a long and high profile campaign against the proposal, said in a statement on their website:

NOGOE is disappointed because Greenwich Park itself is the loser. This is a bad day for the protection of the nation’s heritage, which will inevitably be damaged despite mitigating measures. We’ve heard what LOCOG have SAID, now let’s see what they DO. There are 42 planning conditions which must be satisfied before these events can take place, and NOGOE will be monitoring their every move.

Greenwich Council’s planning board has backed proposals to hold Olympic equestrian events in Greenwich Park in summer 2012, together with test events in 2011.

The 12-member board voted 10-2 to back the proposal after a four-and-three-quarter-hour long meeting at Woolwich Town Hall.

Conservative councillors Geoffrey Brighty (Blackheath Westcombe) and Dermot Poston (Eltham North) objected to the scheme, however their party colleague Peter King (Eltham South) voted for organising body LOCOG’s application.

The other members backed approval of the scheme with a string of conditions attached, which include the setting up of an advisory body – including bodies such as English Heritage and Natural England – to oversee works in the park and Blackheath’s Circus Field.

Councillors also told LOCOG to seek approval from Greenwich Council for individual elements of planned construction work, together with crowd management proposals.

The board’s formal backing now paves the way for a temporary stadium to be built in front of the Queen’s House during 2012, the creation of a cross-country course through the park, and the use of the Circus Field as an operational compound.

LOCOG chairman Lord Coe told councillors that Greenwich Park had “a special place in the hearts of many”, describing it as “the beating heart of a diverse community – just ask the thousands of marathon starters who gather there each year”.

“Tonight, we ask you to trust us,” he said, claiming the Olympics would enable “a young urban audience to witness Olympic and Paralympic equestrianism first hand”.

But opposition body NOGOE claimed LOCOG’s proposals were not detailed enough, and risked damaging the park’s ecology and archaeology. There was also criticism that local roads, particularly the Blackwall Tunnel – would not cope with the demands of an Olympic Games.

NOGOE supporter Sue McNeil told the meeting: “We’re not anti-Olympics – we’re pleased Greenwich is a host borough, but using suitable arenas like the Dome.

“Greenwich Park should be the official ‘chill-out zone’ during the Olympics – otherwise we will lose tourists when construction starts.

“We could rent out our houses for a small fortune when the Games are on – but we value Greenwich more than that.”

In opposing the application, Cllr Poston said the park would be an “amazing theatre” for those watching on television.

“But they are not the ones who use the park,” he said. “I have to consider that this is a conservation area – and I’m afraid I’m not convinced that this will enhance or preserve a conservation area.”

Cllr Brighty spoke of the numbers who use the park each weekend, adding “four weeks [of closure] at the height of summer is too much”.

But members who backed the proposal sought to pacify opponents. Labour councillor Clive Mardner (Abbey Wood) said he hoped NOGOE members had “added strength” to scrutiny of the proposals, and said he hoped they would continue as construction got under way.

Denise Hyland (Labour, Shooters Hill) said: “My fears have been completely allayed tonight by what I’ve heard. Passion for the park isn’t just felt by those against the proposal.”

Members who voted for the proposal: Ray Walker (vice-chair, Labour, Eltham West), Peter Brooks (Labour, Thamesmead Moorings), Denise Hyland (Labour, Shooters Hill), Sajid Jawaid (Labour, Plumstead), Peter Kotz (Labour, Thamesmead Moorings), Clive Mardner (Labour, Abbey Wood), Steve Offord (Labour, Abbey Wood), John Wakefield (Labour, Glyndon), Peter King (Conservative, Eltham South), Paul Webbewood (Lib Dem, Middle Park & Sutcliffe).

Members who voted against: Geoffrey Brighty (Conservative, Blackheath Westcombe), Dermot Poston (Conservative, Eltham North).