Plan B Forum

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) confirmed it is seeking planning permission to fence off Nothe Gardens, a public park in the Dorset town which has views of the ceremonial medal run of the sailing events next year.

It is hoped that domestic hopefuls such as Ben Ainslie will be on show on their way to collect medals in events taking place off the Channel coast.



LOCOG said that approval for the plan, which would close off a reported 40,000 square metres of public space, was being sought for "safety and crowd-control" reasons.

But that was branded "nonsense" by John Burtwistle, the area's Lib Dem Weymouth and Portland Borough councillor, who is leading opposition to the move.

"When the award of the Olympics to London was first made the councils involved down here said they would do everything in their power to promote the games," he said.

"That seems to have been interpreted as allowing LOCOG and the Olympic Delivery Authority to do what they like.

"The bottom line is that they are trying to make Olympic sailing a pay-per-view event in Weymouth."

He claimed that people would be forced to pay up to £55 to watch the sailing from the gardens - and would only be able to choose between standing and sitting on the grass.

"Are people really going to pay to stand or sit on the grass?" Mr Burtwistle added.

"Let us hope it doesn't rain."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/others ... ction.html