Since 2012, the London Legacy Development Corporation has controlled the planning system in four councils
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The organisation formed in 2012 to plan London’s Olympic legacy is set to transfer its planning powers to local councils after 12 years.
The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) was created after the Olympics in the capital, as part of the city’s long-term plan to regenerate Stratford and its surrounding areas.
Its remit includes areas belonging to Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest Councils. They were delegated planning authority by the Mayor of London’s office after the Olympic and Paralympic Games were completed.
Most of the LLDC’s powers, including planning and approval of buildings, will be formally handed over to these four councils on 1st December. This means while the LLDC will continue to exist, it will control a much smaller area – mostly within the Olympic Park itself. Last week, the LLDC held its final planning decisions committee meeting before the handover is formalised in a months’ time.
Mark Robinson, Head of External Affairs at the LLDC, said that this change ‘has been a huge task, I have to say, to actually work with them to hand back and transfer those planning powers.
‘We had our last planning decisions committee on the 22nd October, and that was the culmination of a huge amount of work, where we have gradually brought the local authorities up to speed about the work we’re doing – so we’re not just dumping everything on top of them.’
How are councils preparing?
The four authorities involved in the handover have been liaising with the LLDC in the past month to enable a smooth transfer of power.
Decisions on planning applications were moved to Waltham Forest council on September 1st, with the process for the remaining three councils taking place in October and November.
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Delivery, Inclusive Economy and Regeneration says: ‘We have always made sure that we worked closely with the Mayor of London to deliver an inclusive and lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.’
‘This milestone will see greater local ownership of the decisions to be made about the future growth of this special and unique neighbourhood in Hackney,’ the Council added. What will this mean for residents?
One of the key issues surrounding the LLDC’s control of the area has been the housing that it has been able to construct. Expectations have been high as early as 2007, when Lord Sebastian Coe stated that the Olympic site would ‘create 30,000 to 40,000 homes in the area.’
To date, just over 12,000 homes have been built in LLDC areas, but many of them have been passed between different private companies which operate them. Local resident Melanie says: ‘When I first moved in it was Triathlon Homes, then it was L&Q, now I’m told it’s someone else… I don’t know who’s managing the teams but if I call them up and tell them I’ve got no water pressure I’m left for weeks.’
Local councils will need to incorporate the Olympic Park and the homes within it in its budgeting, planning and development from December onwards.
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HeadlineLocal councils to take over Olympic Park planning powers
Short HeadlineLocal councils to take over Olympic Park planning powers
StandfirstThe transition, which is now underway, will be formalised on 1st December
The organisation formed in 2012 to plan London’s Olympic legacy is set to transfer its planning powers to local councils after 12 years.
The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) was created after the Olympics in the capital, as part of the city’s long-term plan to regenerate Stratford and its surrounding areas.
Its remit includes areas belonging to Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest Councils. They were delegated planning authority by the Mayor of London’s office after the Olympic and Paralympic Games were completed.
Most of the LLDC’s powers, including planning and approval of buildings, will be formally handed over to these four councils on 1st December. This means while the LLDC will continue to exist, it will control a much smaller area – mostly within the Olympic Park itself. Last week, the LLDC held its final planning decisions committee meeting before the handover is formalised in a months’ time.
Mark Robinson, Head of External Affairs at the LLDC, said that this change ‘has been a huge task, I have to say, to actually work with them to hand back and transfer those planning powers.
‘We had our last planning decisions committee on the 22nd October, and that was the culmination of a huge amount of work, where we have gradually brought the local authorities up to speed about the work we’re doing – so we’re not just dumping everything on top of them.’
How are councils preparing?
The four authorities involved in the handover have been liaising with the LLDC in the past month to enable a smooth transfer of power.
Decisions on planning applications were moved to Waltham Forest council on September 1st, with the process for the remaining three councils taking place in October and November.
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Delivery, Inclusive Economy and Regeneration says: ‘We have always made sure that we worked closely with the Mayor of London to deliver an inclusive and lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.’
‘This milestone will see greater local ownership of the decisions to be made about the future growth of this special and unique neighbourhood in Hackney,’ the Council added. What will this mean for residents?
One of the key issues surrounding the LLDC’s control of the area has been the housing that it has been able to construct. Expectations have been high as early as 2007, when Lord Sebastian Coe stated that the Olympic site would ‘create 30,000 to 40,000 homes in the area.’
To date, just over 12,000 homes have been built in LLDC areas, but many of them have been passed between different private companies which operate them. Local resident Melanie says: ‘When I first moved in it was Triathlon Homes, then it was L&Q, now I’m told it’s someone else… I don’t know who’s managing the teams but if I call them up and tell them I’ve got no water pressure I’m left for weeks.’
Local councils will need to incorporate the Olympic Park and the homes within it in its budgeting, planning and development from December onwards.
