Plans to show matches from this year s football World Cup to 20,000 fans in Regent s Park have been scrapped, the Ham&High can reveal. Camden Council confirmed today that the application had been withdrawn amid a storm of protest from worried residents. L

Plans to show matches from this year’s football World Cup to 20,000 fans in Regent’s Park have been scrapped, the Ham&High can reveal.

Camden Council confirmed today that the application had been withdrawn amid a storm of protest from worried residents.

London Zoo and the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre had also opposed the plan submitted by the Greater London Authority (GLA) on behalf of football world governing body FIFA.

The GLA had wanted to relay 60 out the 64 matches during the World Cup onto giant screens at Gloucester Green during the World Cup.

A Spokesman for GLA said concerns over the “commercial viability” of the Fan Fest was behind the reason to withdraw the application. He refused to comment whether the campaign by residents had played a part.

A spokesperson said: “We were considering Regent's Park as a possible location for a Fan Fest, but legitimate concerns highlighted by our consultation raised doubts about the commercial viability of the plan to hold it there and we are now focusing on the other options available.”

A decision was due to be made by licensing chiefs at Camden Council on March 11, but that has now been cancelled to the delight of opponents.

The Fan Fest was to be one of seven spread across the world in cities such as Rio and Sydney and organisers believed a successful event would have given a much needed boost to England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.