CAMPAIGNERS battling a decision to build a temporary Olympic police base on Wanstead Flats have vowed to fight on despite a judge dismissing their appeal for judicial review as ‘fanciful’.

The base, which is due to be built ahead of the Olympics, got the go ahead after MPs voted to amend the 1878 Epping Forest Act which prevents any building on the site.

But opponents of the scheme say the Home Office public consultation carried out in the run-up to the legislation was fundamentally flawed.

And, in July, local resident Dr Michael Pelling, with the Save Wanstead Flats campaign included as an ‘interested party’, filed for judicial review of the decision.

But the Judge considering Dr Pelling’s application has thrown the request out.

Outlining his reasons for the refusal, Judge Stephen Irwin said: “It appears to me that the claimant has signally failed to show there was a failure of consultation.”

And he continues: “The idea that the proposal was somehow concealed from the local community or from those with any claim to rights over the common land is quite fanciful.”

The Judge also says that compensation agreed between the Corporation of London and the Metropolitan Police will result in an improvement of local facilities for residents.

Dr Pelling is adamant the Home Office consultation taken ahead of the plan was flawed and says many residents were not even informed it was going ahead.

He explained: “It may look impressive to say that 4,900 leaflets were distributed but they actually only covered a very small area.”

And he has now applied for a hearing in open court where he will seek to overturn Judge Irwin’s decision.

He said: “I don’t think the judge has really understood the case.

“This is by no means the end of the road.”

But Alan Cornish, of the Wanstead Parklands Community Project, feels it is only a matter of time before police begin construction on the Flats.

Mr Cornish, who was a vocal opponent of the plans, said: “Both the police and the Home Office consultations contained information that misrepresented the issues.

“But if they decide they are going to do something, they are going to do it.”

The Guardian has asked the Metropolitan Police to comment.

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