Campaigners from the Save Greenwich Equestrian Community group have accused Greenwich Council of refusing to engage with them over a fully-funded community-led proposal to purchase and run the Greenwich Equestrian Centre, a legacy facility from the 2012 Olympics. Despite a petition with nearly 3,600 signatures and backing from Sport England and the British Horse Society, the council has declined further meetings since an initial discussion in October 2023. Campaigner Tao Baker criticized the council for ignoring residents’ interests and breaking its commitment to explore a community asset transfer, emphasizing that the campaign sought no council funding but only the opportunity to buy the centre through community fundraising.

Greenwich Council leader Anthony Okereke defended the decision to sell the centre, citing the need to address the council’s growing budget gap and maintain financial viability amid funding cuts from previous governments. He highlighted the council’s efforts to sustain essential services like libraries, youth programs, and social care despite financial pressures. Opposition figures condemned the council’s handling of the sale, describing it as rushed and dismissive of community concerns, with one former Labour councillor resigning amid stress related to advocating against the sale. The dispute underscores tensions between community preservation efforts and local government financial constraints.