A VILLAGE is bracing itself for an unprecedented flood of more than 1,000 tourists during next year’s Olympics.

A campsite with space for 1,300 touring caravans a night is due to be set up at former champion hurdler Sally Gunnell’s childhood home in Green Lane, Chigwell, from July 25 to September 11, for people attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Old Farm, where the caravans will be pitched, was used by Gunnell as a training ground during her early days in the sport, when she used to jump over hay bales there, and it is still owned by her family.

The Caravan Club, which is helping set up the campsite, said visitors would stay a minimum of two nights and a maximum of 30.

Catriona Diamond, 46, the administrator at The Bluebell Restaurant in nearby Chigwell High Road, said: “There’s been no major building or anything else in this area to bring in large numbers of people.”

She said the influx would be good for business, but was worried about the possibility of gypsies and travellers being allowed to camp there.

One of the farm’s closest neighbours, Jill Spero, of Green Lane, was angry that neither the Gunnells or the Caravan Club had told her there were firm plans for the campsite.

“I’m horrified by the whole concept,” she said. “I think the impact will be awful and I also worry that if they do it once, they can do it again.”

She added that she had been told by the district council that no planning permission for the site had been given, but this was not necessarily needed.

Deborah Hall, who runs the Chigwell Riding Trust, also in Green Lane, said the Olympics were likely to create traffic chaos in the area without the added pressure of 1,300 caravans.

“We’ve only got to have roadworks or a break-down and we come to a grinding halt,” she added.

Pitches at the site will not be on concrete and there will be no shower block or permanent toilets built, but there will be power points for 1,000 of the caravans and a water supply.

Other plans for the site include a bar and fast food outlets and big screens for showing the Olympics.

The Guardian has tried to contact the owners of Old Farm, but has not yet had a reply .