People come together on Leyton Marshes to protest about plans to build a giant Olympic basketball court there. Photo credit Kriss Lee

Protesters camping on a site in east London where a new Olympic basketball facility will be built have lost their court fight against eviction.

Amid angry scenes, a High Court official today issued a possession order “with immediate effect” to the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, authorising action to sweep away the camp on Leyton Marsh, in Waltham Forest.

Protesters set up tents, collected wood and made fires in breach of park byelaws in Waltham Forest, to oppose the construction of the training centre. They claimed the plan was pushed through with no consultation or environmental consultation.

The possession order was made the day after London Olympics bosses were granted a High Court injunction against the protesters.

Protesters faced problems in court today when none of them was willing to be identified as “in possession of the land” - for fear of racking up legal costs.

That made it legally impossible for them to oppose as defendants the granting of the order.

A spokesman for the group said: “We are disappointed with the injunctions granted today and yesterday, especially as so many questions remain unanswered including why work has been allowed to continue despite the discovery of asbestos and other health and safety hazards on site,” said a spokeswoman for the Save Leyton Marsh Group.

“However, we are relieved that the judge has upheld our right to peacefully protest, enabling us to display banners and continue to run our website.”

“However, it is clear to me that it is not necessary or essential for that freedom of expression to take place on this land.

Master Matthew Marsh, the official who issued the possession order, said: “There are many other ways in which protest can be pursued. There is no central requirement or need for there to be an assembly on this land for the protest to be properly pursued.”