The Labour leader of Greenwich Council is considering selling the Olympic legacy equestrian centre to help plug a budget gap, despite opposition from local residents and concerns about the loss of the centre’s benefits to the community. The decision to sell the centre and a nearby house was made quickly by the council without discussion, leading to petitions from residents calling for a pause in the sale process to allow them to develop their own bids.

Criticism of the decision to sell the equestrian centre has been met with comparisons to a previous campaign against council homes being built on a community garden site. The council has defended its decision by pointing to the need for tough choices to address the housing crisis and financial challenges faced by the borough. However, residents and opposition leaders have called for a pause in the sale process to allow time for community input and alternative proposals.

The equestrian centre was opened as part of an Olympic legacy project in 2013, but has faced financial difficulties since the college running it went bust. The decision to sell the centre has been met with opposition from the equestrian community and local residents, who are calling for a more transparent and community-focused approach to the future of the site. The council has been urged to listen to residents and consider alternative options for the site’s future.