Londoners get involved in planning their Olympic Park after 2012

The London Development Agency (LDA) has launched an interactive 'Legacy Now' roadshow which will begin touring this weekend to give Londoners the chance to help plan what will go on the Olympic Park after the Games.

The groundbreaking consultation will see people building their own 'mini city' by physically placing housing, parkland, shops and other features on a large scale map of the Olympic Park.

Other innovative activities include an interactive panel to prioritise the importance of features and services, a director's chair where their thoughts and aspirations are recorded and ‘postcards from the future’ to capture thoughts on what the area should become. Young children can also get involved by taking part in making models of 2020 homes.

The London Development Agency, which owns most of the Olympic Park site and leads a partnership overseeing its development after the Games, also has a 'Legacy Now' website where people can access the latest information and give their views - www.legacynow.co.uk. People can also give feedback by phone on 020 7593 9000 or email: legacynow@lda.gov.uk.

All the contributions will be documented by legacy masterplanners KCAP, EDAW and Allies and Morissons and will help produce a series of legacy scenarios and options for the site, due to be released in the Autumn, and inform the planning applications to be made next year. This will set the framework for the post-2012 development of homes, parkland, schools, workspace, health and sporting facilities.

Tom Russell, Group Director for Olympic Legacy at the London Development Agency, said:

"Public consultation is a vital part of our planning process for the future of the Olympic Park site.  These Legacy Now events have been carefully designed to draw out thoughts and views that will provide real influence for decision-making.  This is an exciting time for all of us working to ensure that we achieve the best economic, social and regeneration impact for London."

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said:

 "The success of the 2012 Games will be measured by the legacy that London inherits. That is why it is critical we get our plans right now and why I want to see as many ideas and views presented to me as soon as possible. This includes from private and public sector organisations, businesses and ordinary people from across the capital and of course east Londoners who have the opportunity to transform their long neglected part of town. So I urge you all to come on down when the roadshow visits your area and show us your vision of east London after the Olympians and Paralympians have packed their bags and left town."

Speaking on behalf of the five host boroughs, Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said:

"The residents of the five host boroughs have strong views on what kind of place the Olympic Park area should become once the Games are over, so this is an exciting opportunity to get involved and help determine the future.  This involvement is vitally important if the new neighbourhoods are to be successful. We look forward to hearing some great ideas."

John Armitt, ODA Chairman, said:

"Legacy is at the heart of our work to deliver the venues and infrastructure for the Games and beyond. We are making good progress putting in place not just world class sports venues but also new utilities systems, new transport links, and new parklands that will serve the new communities who will live in the area after 2012. 75p of every pound we spend is for long-term regeneration. This important consultation will enable local people to help shape the detailed plans for the venues, parklands, homes and other future features."

The Roadshow dates are:

• 21 June: Lee Valley Festival - Tottenham Festival and Carnival at Bruce Castle Park, 12pm to 6pm
• 22 June: Tour de Waltham Forest at Waltham Forest Town Square, 11am to 7pm
• 25 June: Hackney Town Hall Square, 10am to 7pm
• 5 July: Pride London, 9am to 6pm
• 6 July: London Youth Games at Crystal Palace, 9am to 6pm
• 12 and 13 July: Mayor's Newham Show at Central Park, East Ham, 2pm to 8pm
• 13 July: RISE Festival at Finsbury Park, 12pm to 8.30pm
• 19 July: Idea Store at Whitechapel, 9am to 6pm
• 20 July: Green Fair Festival at Lloyd Park, Walthamstow, 12pm to 7pm.

The consultation builds on ongoing planning work being led by the masterplanners and the LDA alongside London 2012 partners including Olympic Delivery Authority, LOCOG, Greater London Authority, DCMS, DCLG, LTGDC, LVRPA and the five host boroughs.

This work has also focused on other legacy strands to produce an overall economic, social and physical regeneration strategy for the Olympic Park and the Lower Lea Valley by the summer of 2009. This will include an outline planning application which will set the framework for the development of homes, parkland, schools, workspace, health and sporting facilities.

-Ends-

For media enquiries, please contact Andreas Christophorou at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8444; for public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000; for out of hours media enquiries, please call 07977 439 371.

A PDF version of the legacy map in of the Olympic Park with the development platforms is available from the LDA media team on request.

Notes for editors

1. The London Development Agency works to improve quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth.
2. The LDA's two legacy documents are available at - Legacy Now: Shaping the Olympic Park Legacy and Employment and Skills update for 2012.
3. The LDA is helping delivery of Olympic legacy now. This work includes helping Londoners access skills, job and businesses opportunities through projects such as the Opportunities Fund, Personal Best and CompeteFor. The LDA has also developed three state of the art business parks in Beckton, Leyton and Enfield for businesses relocating from the Olympic Park site.
4. On July 2 the LDA took control of the Olympic Park site - an area equivalent to Hyde Park - following the acquisition of 2,200 land and property interests. The LDA has supported 193 businesses to move. Almost all have relocated to new premises securing 98% of the 4,750 jobs on site. The Agency has also supported 425 residents, 35 Traveller families and 64 allotment holders to find new homes and premises nearby.
5. The LDA is leading the master planning process, working with partners the Olympic Delivery Authority, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), the Greater London Authority, Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC), the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) and the five host boroughs of Hackney, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Waltham Forest.