Call-in urged for MSG’s Stratford Sphere

AEG Europe, owner of the O2 in Greenwich, has called on Michael Gove to call in plans for the MSG Sphere venue in Stratford, east London. It claims that the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities has indicated that he is preparing to call in the planning decision. At the end of last week, Gove asked local officials “not to grant permission on the applications without specific authorisation” by issuing a holding direction to the London Legacy Development Corporation. The intervention comes after the LLDC last month signed off MSG Sphere’s external advertising plans. AEG claims that the LLDC’s decision-making process has been seriously flawed and that the proposed LED-covered live music and entertainment venue will add congestion to the local public transport infrastructure and blot London’s skyline. The exterior display has been the main point of controversy, with the LLDC’s planning committee approving the 1m-LED external advertising panels that will cover the two-hectare live music and entertainment venue. Alistair Wood, development vice-president at AEG Europe, said: “With the LLDC due to be disbanded at the end of next year, it would be democratic for the government to intervene and back the wishes of elected councils in east London who want this inappropriate development blocked to protect the wellbeing of local people and existing businesses.” To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews Photo © Madison Square Garden Entertainment