Plans to stage the Olympic equestrian events at Greenwich Park in 2012 have won final approval from the town council despite opposition from hundreds of residents.
The Greenwich Council's planning committee approved use of the historic site in southeast London for the equestrian and modern pentathlon riding events.
The vote was 10-2 after a five-hour meeting Tuesday night at Greenwich Town Hall attended by hundreds of opponents.
Critics claim the Olympic events will disturb local residents and cause irreparable harm and environmental damage to the 215-acre park, which is located within a World Heritage site.
Plans call for a temporary 23,000-set arena to be built in the park for the Olympics.
The vote included a commitment by London Olympic organizers to restore the park to its natural condition once the games are over.
``The message from tonight is loud and clear,'' London 2012 organizing committee head Sebastian Coe said. ``This great park is on loan to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and the people of the world.
``We must return it to the residents of Greenwich, to Londoners and visitors from the U.K. and around the world in the same condition, or better, than it was loaned to us.''
The Swiss-based international equestrian federation said it was ``thrilled'' by the go-ahead.
``Greenwich Park is a spectacular venue which places equestrian sport right at the heart of the 2012 Olympic Games,'' the FEI said in a statement.
