First large business relocates as CPO inquiry closes

One of the largest businesses in the Olympic Park zone moved into its new premises this week, as the Public Inquiry closed into the compulsory purchase of the land needed to build the Olympic Park.

Recycling and waste management company Bywaters has moved its vehicle maintenance and administrative departments from their old premises at Lea Interchange inside the Olympic Park, to a new site in the ProLogis Industrial Park at Twelvetrees Crescent, Bow.

Next year, two more of Bywaters' sites based in Marshgate Lane will relocate to the new 187,000ft2 premises - creating the largest indoor recycling centre in London, and which will with time see Bywaters' 250 existing staff grow by a hundred.

Meanwhile the Public Inquiry into the compulsory purchase of 312 hectares of the Lower Lea Valley closed on Friday (4 August). Private negotiations with landowners have continued as the Inquiry has been ongoing, and to date, the London Development Agency with its public sector partners has secured 93% of the land it needs.

"Our preferred route for acquiring the land continues to be by way of private agreement, and to have so much of the land in public ownership means we are very much on track for delivering a vacant site by July 2007," says Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the London Development Agency.

"Now, businesses supporting almost three-quarters of the employees in the Olympic Park have confirmed relocation sites, and we remain committed to supporting businesses through the relocation process. Bywaters are an example of how solutions can be found to the satisfaction of all parties - making relocation a real opportunity."

"We will continue to negotiate with businesses and other landowners in the Olympic Park. The compulsory purchase powers will only be used in the event we cannot reach private agreement."

"We're delighted with our new premises, as they allow us to develop our business in a way which would not have been possible were it not for the Olympic Games," says John Glover, Bywaters' Managing Director.

"Amalgamating three sites together in one means we can lead the way in developing more innovative and environmentally-sound ways to tackle London's waste mountain."

Ends

For media enquiries: please contact Jonathan Kinsella at the LDA Media Team on 07980 272 601 or David Rumble of Bywaters on 07984 671 450.

Notes to Editors:

• The Public Inquiry into the Lower Lea Valley, Olympic and Legacy CPO began on 9 May.
• The London Development Agency is the Mayor's agency for sustainable economic development. The LDA prepares the Mayor's business plan for London and mobilises the support and resources of hundreds of partner organisations to help build a thriving economy for London's people, businesses and communities. The LDA is dedicated to improving sustainability, health and equality of opportunity for Londoners.
• Please contact the LDA media team for images.