‘Time running out’ for Olympic legacy plans
All organisations involved in Olympic Games legacy should work towards a shared vision for the wider regeneration of east London, a report by a London Assembly committee recommends.
The report, which examines the Olympic Park Legacy Company's role, says the organisation must have a broad focus and that the goal of improving the lives of people in east London should guide all of its decisions.
Drawn up following an inquiry by the Assembly's economic development committee, the report says the company's current narrow remit makes partnership working important to achieving legacy for the wider east London area.
The company will also need a sustainable source of funding to ensure that achieves its legacy goals, it adds.
The report also expresses concerns about local people's access to homes and jobs created through the Olympics. It says that if the park becomes an 'island of prosperity', providing homes mainly for affluent incomers while housing shortages persist in the disadvantaged communities around the park, 'the promised legacy will have failed'.
But it notes that the Olympic Park Legacy Company has no formal role in determining the future of the Olympic Village and calls for the wider legacy priorities to be incorporated into these plans.
The document also warns against creating 'white elephants' and urges the company to finalise sustainable legacies for the Olympic Stadium, the Aquatic Centre and the media centre as soon as possible.
It also advises company to consider how Olympic venues could be used to help increase sports participation amongst local people after the games.
Committee chair Dee Doocey said: 'The Olympic Park Legacy Company needs a wider remit and dedicated funding to be able to transform the area sufficiently to provide long-term benefits to the local community. Time is running out. The mayor and the Olympic Park Legacy Company must act on our recommendations otherwise an historic opportunity will have been lost.'
by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
