The ODA gave the council the funds as compensation for fencing off Drapers Field in Leyton from next month until December 2012 as a holding area for next year's Olympic Games.

The money was committed to a number of areas, but Ive Farm was not included in those sites Waltham Forest decided to renovate, despite being the site of a running track and previously a well-equipped athletics arena.

Instead Marsh Lane, Abbotts Park and part of Church Lane had been specified for improvements.

Responding to criticism of the decision, council leader Chris Robbins said that they would consider ways to include the site in renovation plans.

"We will be looking at future options for the site as we consider it to be an important part of the Borough's sports offer," he said.

"This funding is finite, and Marsh Lane and Abbotts Park were identified as sites where best results could be achieved with the remaining resources.

"When the Drapers Field discussions were taking place, Ive Farm was not under Council control."

Jim Howell, who used to live at Ive Farm and is now the secretary of Waltham Forest Sports Council, told the Waltham Forest Guardian: "It used to be thriving.

"There was athletics, rugby, tennis, football and it was very well used.

"Now you can barely see things like the long jump because there's so many weeds.

"One of the ironies is if you stand on the finishing straight of the track at Ive Farm, you can see the Olympic site.

"This is exactly the kind of thing which should be benefiting from the legacy of the Games but it's been ignored."

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