Madison Square Garden Entertainment’s plans to build a Vegas-like sphere to the East of the Olympic Park in Stratford have been withdrawn by the company after it emerged that London mayor Sadiq Khan strongly opposed the project. In December, Levelling-up Secretary Michael Gove offered a lifeline, saying had already issued an “Article 31 direction” and was considering whether to call in the plans, giving him the final say on whether it was granted planning permission, but, seemingly, to no avail. MSG has let it known that it is pulling out because it sees itself and its project as a “political football”.
The proposed 100m high sphere was expected to add £2.5 billion to London’s economy, £50 million a year to local businesses and create 1,200 jobs. Those in opposition argued that its arrival would have a negative impact on the area’s infrastructure and wildlife and residents’ quality of life due to the high levels of light pollution it would generate.
It would have had a 21,500-capacity main auditorium and a smaller music venue and nightclub with capacity for up to 1,500 people. It would also have had a members’ lounge, restaurants, bars, external terraces and podium. Additional infrastructure would have included new walkways linking the site to transport hubs and leisure and retail areas, especially in the Westfield centre.
Source: Evening Standard
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