The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) said on Wednesday it has recommended approval of the planning applications for the Olympic Park. The Park, whose planning application was submitted in February, will be one of the largest new urban parks in Europe, including new sporting venues, highways, bridges, river works, utilities, and open space. Covering a land area of 246 hectares, the park will be developed alongside the Olympic Village and will include the construction of five permanent venues - Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Velopark, Handball Arena, Eton Manor as well as an International Broadcast Centre / Main Press Centre.
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) said on Wednesday it has recommended approval of the planning applications for the Olympic Park. The Park, whose planning application was submitted in February, will be one of the largest new urban parks in Europe, including new sporting venues, highways, bridges, river works, utilities, and open space. Covering a land area of 246 hectares, the park will be developed alongside the Olympic Village and will include the construction of five permanent venues - Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Velopark, Handball Arena, Eton Manor as well as an International Broadcast Centre / Main Press Centre.
Following a public meeting in Stratford on Wednesday, ODA's Planning Committee recommended the applications for approval and the recommendation will now go to the Government Office for London (GOL) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) for approval. ODA's ceo, David Higgins, said: 'These planning applications are the backbone of our vision to create a world-class Olympic Park and a benchmark 21st Century urban environment so this recommendation is a significant step forwards.' Higgins added that work is already well underway on site to prepare the platform on which to construct the Olympic Park. A demolition programme of over 250 buildings has also begun.
Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: 'London 2012 will be a prime example of sport acting as a catalyst for regeneration, and the planning application we have submitted for the Olympic Park clearly shows the transformational power of the Games.'