A POPULAR open space could become a central part of the effort to keep the city safe and secure during the 2012 Olympic Games.

The Metropolitan Police are set to submit plans to establish a temporary base on Wanstead Flats during the Games, which they say would provide an ideal location to co-ordinate policing of the Olympic boroughs across east London.

Any move would first be subject to a public consultation to gather feedback from people living in the area, and address any concerns about the restrictions it would put on public use of the area during the games.

Interest group The Friends of Epping Forest – of which Wanstead Flats is part - has expressed conditional support for the plan, saying that they oppose development of the forest, but understand that the games are a "one-off" event for the area.

The group's secretary, Peggy Britten, said: "We're not going to object but we do hope there will be a full consultation, and that there will be total restitution afterwards.

"Everything needs to be restored to how it is now after the event, because it will involve buildings and high fencing and all of that.

"We can see the need for it obviously, and it's just a temporary thing, but as long as it's all taken down and the grassland is resorted properly afterwards, we don't object at all.

"We've not been consulted yet so we don't know the details. We were wondering why they didn't chose a site a bit closer in, like on Hackney Marshes or something, rather than out in Epping Forest.

"We need to protect the forest, that's our only concern."

In 1882, Queen Victoria declared that Epping Forest would be free for the public to enjoy all the time, meaning that it is a taxpayer-funded amenity and any limitation of its use would have to be put to the public.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Later this summer we are planning to start a period of public and planning consultation about a proposal to use a small area of Wanstead Flats to support the MPS policing operation for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The proposal is to use a small area of the Flats as a temporary briefing centre for officers working on the Olympic policing operation, covering important areas such as the Olympic Park and Stadium.

"Our proposal does not include any permanent structures and the land would be restored to its current condition after use.

"A briefing centre of this kind is vital to our policing operation as it means we can brief all of the officers, including a large number on mutual aid from other forces, at the same time with one consistent message.

“Unfortunately, there is no existing Met building in the right place and of the right size for this purpose and a search for other alternatives has shown the Flats as the only practicable site.

"At the current time this is a proposal and the MPS will undertake full public consultation before submitting a planning application to the local authority later this year."

A spokeswoman for the City of London Corporation, which looks after Epping Forest on behalf of the public, said: “Our job as stewards of Wanstead Flats, part of Epping Forest, is to uphold the long-term interests and standards of London's largest open space. We all want a safe, secure and successful Olympics for London.

“While the request from the police is not directly related to public access and enjoyment, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the one-off request from the "country" to lend assistance in a small way, needs to be properly considered.

"We think there is a way forward that will allow the police to be based at Wanstead Flats, while retaining the Forest's legal guarantees, and at the same time securing benefits for the long term interest of the area. A proposal to use the fairground site for a limited period in return for an investment which can be used in the local area, seems worthy of full consultation with the community.

"The police proposal does require a variation to the Epping Forest Act 1878. We have asked the Home Office to progress this matter, as the important Wanstead Flats are protected by law and even a once in a life time, temporary use for this Olympic related activity, needs legal agreement.

"This is a difficult position for us in our role of protecting the Forest. We are confident that we are seeking a solution that would be in the best interests of most people."