OCTOBER 1 - PLANNING permission for the Olympic Park was granted today, giving the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) the green light for the construction of venues for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Two planning applications totalling 10,000 pages were submitted in February outlining plans for new sporting venues, highways, bridges, river works, utilities, and open space in the Olympic Park and their post-Games reconfiguration for legacy use. 

 

Following a public meeting last month, the applications were approved in principle by the ODA’s Planning Committee, an independent body with externally appointed independent members.

 

The applications were then referred to the Government Office for London (GOL) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) for consideration who have now given their agreement for approval.

 

The completion of this final stage of the planning process means that the Planning Decisions Team can now issue formal planning permission.

 

The granting of planning permission recognises the significant benefits the regeneration of the Olympic Park will deliver, claimed the ODA, including the regeneration long sought for this part of east London and a lasting environmental legacy of remediated land.

 

The ODA said the networks of bridges, footpaths and cycleways will help create an open and accessible Park in Games time and in legacy.

 

David Higgins, the chief executive of the ODA, said: “Receiving planning permission is a huge step forward.

 

"The recognition of the regeneration value of our plans gives us continued momentum as we continue work to create a world class Olympic Park for Games and legacy. 

 

“With planning permission for the Olympic Park secured, we will continue consultation on detailed planning applications for individual venues and on the legacy masterplan, so there will continue to be opportunities for people to comment on the plans for the future Olympic and legacy Park.”

 

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said:  “This is another major milestone achieved in our journey to 2012. 

 

"A lot of hard work has gone into achieving this, and I congratulate everyone concerned.  We are on track to deliver a first class Games with an Olympic Park that will leave a lasting legacy far beyond 2012.”

 

The planning permission granted for the Olympic Park planning applications was subject to a series of conditions, including ensuring the submission of further detailed plans for venues, landscaping and infrastructure in the Park.

 

The planning permissions and conditions can be viewed at the PDT offices in Burford Road, Stratford or via the ODA website at http://www.london2012.com/planning/past-committee-meetings.php