RESIDENTS have voiced major concerns after no one told them a circus would be taking place metres away from their houses on a small village green.

George Green in Wanstead will play host to two circus performances every weekday evening, along with an extra matinee on weekends, from Tuesday July 5 to Saturday July 10.

But after land managers City of London Corporation (CoLC) failed to tell people living nearby, neighbours have raised concerns about land damage, litter, noise and traffic disruption.

Mark Harrington, who works from his home in St Mary’s Avenue, said: “The people living around the green have had no consultation whatsoever.

“I only realised what was happening when the signs started to go up – I should not have had to find out about it like that.

“The green is in the middle of a very residential area, it’s not appropriate.”

The 58-year-old said he did not know why CoLC decided to give the green light to organisers Circus Fantasia when no similar events have been allowed in the past.

He added: “When people aren’t made aware of something happening right in their back yard, they become suspicious and defensive.

“We don’t know what this circus will entail. Will there be toilets on the green? Noisy generators? Litter? Parking problems?

“It’s never happened before, so now they’ve decided it’s allowed, will it happen again?

“I am very surprised and disappointed they have done this without consulting us and would like reassurance it won’t happen again.”

David Bruck, who lives in a block of retirement flats in Cambridge Park, said he does not understand why the circus is not taking place on Wanstead Flats as usual.

The 71-year-old said: “It’s not the sort of place to have a circus, it’s far too small.

“It’s going to be right up against people’s gardens on three sides of the green and we haven’t been told anything about it.

“People in my building are very worried. We have designated parking spaces for carers and emergency vehicles, but will circus-goers just ignore them?

“I wouldn’t want this to become some sort of precedent, we don’t like the idea at all.”

A CoLC spokesman said: “This is a very small circus which is playing in the early evenings so won’t cause disturbances late at night.

“Fantasia Circus played last year at Theydon Bois and it was very well received by local residents.

“George Green was also chosen partly because it has strong sustainable public transport links for access.”

CoLC did not comment on the lack of public consultation.