CONCERNED residents are urging the authorities to explain plans to use a local beauty spot as a local headquarters during the London Olympics, over fears that they are being kept in the dark.

People living near Wanstead Flats have formed a steering group to arrange meetings and find out more information about the proposal to use the area as a muster point during the games.

A meeting was held in Durning Hall in Forest Gate on Wednesday night (July 14) which was attended by 250 people, including a number from Redbridge, who want to know more about the impact it will have on the much-loved local landmark.

The group is to request more information from the Metropolitan Police and the Corporation of London, who administer Epping Forest, of which Wanstead Flats is the southern-most part.

Richard Pratley, of Blake Hall Crescent, said: “At the meeting there was a lot of support for the Olympics in general, and an acceptance for the need for security measures.

“We're saying why haven't we been given more information about what's being planned? I've heard lots of rumours, like the police want to stable 80 horses there, and build cells because local police stations don't have too many.

“We've not heard anything about what the impact on the flats will be and how it will be left once the police leave after the games.

“It does sort of seem that these consultations and things that are going to go on are a bit after the event, and that decisions have already been made that they're only just telling us about now.”

Gerald Gaylor, 73, of Belgrave Road, said: “We're also really worried about whether this is going to set a precedent, that once the police pack up there will be a foot in door to allow other things to be built on the flats.

“I volunteered to be on the committee of the steering group and we're going to try to publicise it as best we can, because we need a lot more people to know about this than already do.”

The Guardian has asked the Corporation of London for a comment.