Planning powers to revert back from London Olympics-derived body to local councils

It’s the end of the Olympics era as the London Legacy Development Corporation planning committee met for the final time last night.

It’s twelve years since the organisation first met in October 2012 after the conclusion of the Olympics to continue overseeing planning and development around the Olympic Park in Stratford.

Jurisdiction covered a wide area including much of Stratford High Street, the Olympic Park, a cultural quarter including forthcoming BBC music studios and Sadler’s Wells theatre plus Hackney Wick.

The LLDC have helpfully listed a tally of residential approvals and completions to date:

• 24,018 new homes approved
• 13,046 homes constructed and occupied, of which 3,578 affordable (29%)
• 3,572 student bedrooms delivered; 5,261 student bedrooms approved awaiting delivery with 35% affordable bedrooms

As the numbers show, much approved homes and student rooms are yet to be built.

One such tower on the rise is beside Stratford International DLR and Southeastern station.

While another tower is on the up on a site between Stratford High Street DLR station and Stratford station proper.

The body have not only overseen residential construction but also two new primary schools and a secondary school within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and one primary school at Sugar House Island

In addition they list:

• 646,000 sqm of employment class space permitted of which 420,000 sqm is completed
• 23,526 sqm of affordable and low-cost workspace approved, of which 10,870 sqm is completed
• 4,794 sqm of affordable and low-cost workspace under construction, and 7,862 sqm planned for the future

Powers

LLDC powers have been a contentious issue with some complaining of a lack of democratic oversite, while others stated it has proved more capable at enabling building.

Alongside the power to approve applications it also drew up Local Plans as well as control over Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) rates on development. Funding raised was then used on infrastructure.

One such example in recent years was £1.863 million for “improvements to the route from Pudding Mill, along Marshgate Lane to the Greenway, enhancing the public realm and connectivity.”

Powers will now transfer to local borough councils in Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.