Olympics Update
ODA submits London 2012 Planning Applications
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has submitted the key Olympic and Legacy Transformation Applications marking a major step in the preparations for the 2012 Games. The planning application is one of the largest in European history with 15 volumes and 10,000 pages covering plans for all elements of the Olympic Park site, including sporting venues, highways, river works and parks.
Covering 2.5 sq kilometres of land, the proposals look at usage both in 2012 and after the Games, when the site will be transformed with housing, schools and facilities for the local community. These include several changes since the initial Masterplan in 2005 with the international broadcast centre and main press centre moving to within the Olympic Park boundary, and better integration of the Olympic Village with the adjacent Stratford City regeneration development.
The plans have two phases, the first seeing extensive work to waterways and the construction of highways, while the second focuses on the games' legacy and building of five permanent sporting venues - the Olympic stadium, aquatics centre, velo park, handball arena and Eton Manor - along with three other temporary venues.
The plans are now subject to a statutory 28-day public consultation period to allow members of the public to give their comments. The ODA Planning Decisions Team will then consider the document along with feedback received in the consultation period before making recommendations to the ODA Planning Committee. A decision is expected later this year but timings will be influenced by the unprecedented size of the document.
The project now moves into the next phase, called 'Making the Park 3D': demolition, dig and design.
www.london2012.com/plans/olympic-park/getting-ready/index.php
Games good for business
London 2012 has revealed details of an independent survey showing that 81% of businesses in London and 77% nationwide believe the Games will have a positive impact on East London. The survey also showed that six million people are planning on attending the Games and a further 36 million are planning to watch the Games on TV.
The results back up a previous survey undertaken on behalf of London 2012 in December 2006, which shows 79% of the population support the Games taking place in London in 2012, compared to 75% approval in July 2005.
London 2012 set out Equality and Diversity plans
The ODA has launched its draft Equality and Diversity Strategy which sets out the aim of making procurement processes for the 2012 Olympics as inclusive and fair as possible.
Appearing as part of a London 2012 Ethnic Minority Business Forum event in January, the ODA underlined a strong commitment to equality and diversity in procurement and highlighted the opportunities that are open to ethnic minority companies.
Comments and views on the strategy are now being welcomed before Friday, 23 February 2007.
www.london2012.com/documents/oda-equality-and-diversity/equality-and-diversity-strategy.pdf
Keep up to date
London 2012 has a dedicated service for businesses seeking information about working with the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
The website www.london2012.com/business now offers a free registration service which will allow businesses to register their interest in finding out about new Games opportunities.
Companies who sign up will receive an automatic update from London 2012 whenever there are key announcements, including tender opportunities and updates on other key areas of progress.
