Anger as London 2012 plans to build on sports field

The plans will help support athletes during the games

Proposals to build a storage area for the 2012 Olympics on land used by footballers and schoolchildren have been criticised.

Organisers are in talks with Waltham Forest Council to use Drapers Field as a holding area for equipmet to be used in the athletes' villages.

The field would return to public use after the games.

But Liberal Democrat councillor Bob Sullivan called the plans a disgrace and against the Olympic ethos.

He added: "The whole Olympic ethos is about encouraging people to take up sport and leisure."

Mr Sullivan said the park was used regularly, claiming that 9,000 people a month used its facilities.

Mr Sullivan added: "Open spaces are like gold dust. We need as much open space as we can get."

According to Waltham Forest Council papers, a decision will be made after any objections are received and will be dependant on the terms of the compensation package.

Proposed improvements to the park include landscaped groundwork, new leisure facilities and better access.

Waltham Forest Council leader Chris Robbins said: "The Games are understandably going to cause some disruption locally but the council is looking to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Using Drapers Field as a holding area could potentially result in significant improvements to an area which is in need of regeneration. This is what we will now have to decide."