PLANS for a temporary giant campsite in the district during the 2012 Olympic Games have been abandoned - at an estimated loss of £1million to the local economy.
The proposal, to accommodate thousands of tents and caravans at North Weald Airfield with shuttle buses linking visitors to Epping tube station, was dropped after Epping Forest District Council said they would be unable to provide enough space at the site without compromising flights from taking off.
It had been estimated that the move would give a £1million boost to local businesses.
The rent of the site would also have provided the authority with around £122,000 in revenue.
National organisation The Caravan Club had said North Weald was an "ideal" location to host 34,000 visitors during the games.
However the rejection of the proposal has meant the authority can now consider an alternative bid by the Olympic Development Agency (ODA) to use the site as a mass car park for people visiting the white water events in Broxbourne during the games.
The council will discuss the car park plan next Monday (May 17).
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