The 220 hectare site at Hadleigh Farm near Benfleet encompasses grassland and woodland, with the ruins of 700-year old Hadleigh Castle providing the backdrop.

Alterations to make the venue ready for 2012 will include work on the course layout and temporary facilities required to host the event.

The plans were resolved for approval by the Castle Point Borough Council Planning Committee last month and referred to the Secretary of State for consideration, before the final decision was issued.

Essex County Council said a programme of works to create a course for the event will begin imminently.

A number of events will be staged in Hadleigh later this month as part of national festivities which celebrate the countdown to the start of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Open Weekend sees a series of sporting, arts and cultural challenges taking place across the UK from July 23 to 25.

Sebastian Coe, chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: "Hadleigh Farm will be a fantastic venue for the London 2012 Games.

"Led by Essex County Council, the partners for the venue have all contributed a tremendous amount of work to ensure the planning application safeguards Hadleigh's stunning natural environment whilst still testing the skills of the best competitors in the world."

Stephen Castle, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for the London 2012 Games, said: "This is the announcement we have been waiting for.

"It is essentially the starting gun for work to now begin on making the Essex dream a reality - to not only host a world class London 2012 Olympic discipline, but also provide a long lasting, meaningful legacy."


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