A PLAN to build one of the UK’s tallest wind turbines in Leyton to provide power for Olympic venues has been ditched.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has announced that new health and safety regulations have scuppered plans for the 393ft (120 metre) turbine at Eton Manor, on the north of the Olympic Park.

The undisclosed preferred bidder for the project said it would be unable to comply with the new regulations, which applied to the design of the turbine, before the 2012 Games.

There was limited commercial interest in taking up the contract and industry experts advised that the project would not be appropriate for the proposed location.

It was hoped the turbine would help deliver a pledge to use 20 per cent renewable energy on the Olympic Park, but 2012 chiefs insist this can still be achieved through other measures.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: “We have carried out an exhaustive process with the industry and suppliers over the last two years to find a viable way of delivering a wind turbine on the Olympic Park site.

However, the industry environment has changed and that means the project is no longer feasible.

“We have a strong track record in sustainability and we remain committed to meeting the challenging renewable energy targets we have set ourselves.

“Our focus is now on researching a number of alternative renewable energy options across the Olympic Park site to help contribute to these targets and compliment the other state-of-the art new energy infrastructure we are building.”

A number of options to meet the target are being considered.

These include installing solar panels around the park and using facilities which convert waste into gas.