I have investigated the development of the MSG sphere in Stratford, including a walkabout in the area.

I’ve looked through the minutes of the London Legacy Development Corporation, and the MSG Sphere website and discovered a string of proposed benefits, including mitigation measures against congestion. There are plans for a special underground station entrance in Montfichet Road and four footbridges.

As well as the Sphere, there is a proposed erection of a smaller entertainment venue and lay out of a garden.

There will also be community uses, ten concerts for emerging local talent; further community involvement through a grants scheme for local groups; vocational training and jobs; and a scheme to introduce young people to the entertainment industry. There will be the employment of a quota of local people in construction and the London Living Wage will be paid.

Given these points I think there is a need for a more balanced approach to evaluation of development benefits by the Council. The Mayor and MP Lyn Brown are deeply concerned about congestion, size of the dome and advertisement lighting, but as I have indicated there is a wide range of benefits.

From what I have read about planning, there is always likely to be both a local neighbourhood dimension, and a wider dimension from outside the local area. An implementation group, similar to one set up for the Silvertown Tunnel development, could be agreed.

In my walk about by the site, I thought that the neighbouring blocks of flats were considerably set back. So maybe they are too far back from noise and the advertising lighting, and there are plans to limit the impact of the lighting.

I am enthusiastic about the objective to make Stratford a West End type entertainment and retail hub in the East End. This should be considered when an amended version of the MSG Sphere comes before the Council in the near future for final approval.

Peter Landman, East Ham

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