Following the announcement earlier this week by MSG Sphere that they will be withdrawing their planning application, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE said:
“The decision by MSG Sphere to withdraw their application is a fantastic outcome for our communities living in the Stratford, Maryland and Stratford Olympic Park area.
Newham is not another Las Vegas and the MSG Sphere structure – which would have been some 100 meters high and 120 meters wide - would have led to significant light intrusion for residents living in the area as well as negative health impacts. That’s why we’ve been campaigning for the past 5-years that this development isn’t a sound proposition, and its impact severely outweighs any benefits the Sphere would bring to Newham.
Our residents have made clear their opposition to the MSG Sphere and I’m proud that they have a Council that has been campaigning to protect their welfare. Our campaign has never been about being anti-business, as we welcome investment in Newham that supports our inclusive growth ambitions. But investment can’t be at the cost of the health and well-being of local residents.
We’ll now be campaigning for the site to be designated a housing and employment inclusion zone because we want our residents to benefit from homes they can afford and jobs that will increase household incomes.”