Controversial plans for an Olympic campsite have been dropped due to lack of interest, it has been announced.

Havering Council had wanted to rent camping and caravan spaces at Westlands Playing Fields – straddling Chadwell Heath and Romford.

A 400-signature petition against the move was handed in at Havering Town Hall by Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, in March from residents opposed to the plan.

In April only five per cent of pitches had been sold, and it was announced last Thursday that the campsite had been mothballed.

Facility

Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Michael White, said: “Unfortunately we will not be proceeding with the campsite. This is due to the small numbers of those wanting to use the facility and the fact the campsite was no longer financially viable.

“We will continue our efforts to attract visitors to the borough during the Olympics and help those that are still interested in staying in Havering during the Games.”

A spokesman added that the council had spent less than �5,000 on the site but that the cost would have been much higher if it had continued to try and rent it out.