A course for the event will be created across Essex County Council’s Hadleigh Castle Country Park and the neighbouring Salvation Army-owned farm land for the event.

 

The two organisations agreed in principle last summer and have been ironing out the final details ever since.

 

A newsletter will be sent to residents by the end of the month updating them on the plans and a planning application is expected to be submitted by spring next year.

 

The site, which overlooks the Thames Estuary, was chosen last year to replace Weald Country Park after the world cycling governing body the UCI ruled that it was not challenging enough for the sport's top riders competing in an Olympics.

 

Hadleigh was chosen after several venues around the country put themselves forward as an alternative.

 

The venue, which covers a 550-acre site situated close to the village of Hadleigh, encompasses the outstandingly beautiful grassland and woodland of Hadleigh Farm and the surrounding countryside of Hadleigh Castle Country Park.

 

John Matear, The Salvation Army's territorial commander for the UK with the Republic of Ireland, said: "The Salvation Army is delighted that its farm in Hadleigh has been chosen as the venue for the 2012 Olympic mountain biking venue.

 

"We are working closely with Essex County Council and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to ensure this is an excellent event for competitors and spectators and to ensure there will be lasting benefits for the community and the county as a whole after the Games."

 

 

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