A plan to turn a golf course on green belt land into a camp site has been met with strong opposition.

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s (LVRPA) has submitted an application for the development of the WaterWorks Centre, which includes motor homes caravans and shower blocks.

But there is concern about the loss of public access to green space.

Adrian Frost, men’s captain of Eton Manor Running Club, said the site currently enables runners to access Leyton Marshes as entering from the east is poor.

He added: "We knew the golf course was going to be used during the Olympics for camping and it was meant to be reinstated this spring. They have not kept their word."

LVRPA also hopes to build 13 new stables at the nearby riding centre.

Jonathan Brind, 60, of Lea Bridge Road, said: "The land is valuable urban green belt land, the highly valued lungs of the city."

"This land is supposed to be the gold standard of land designation, but the LVRPA wants to put buildings and tents all over it."

An LVRPA spokesperson said: "We hope that our golfing customers will not be too disappointed.

However, we operate another 18 hole golf course just six miles from the WaterWorks in Edmonton, which is open every day."

Three new full time jobs will be created if planning permission is granted.