Return of planning powers to “secure Hackney’s London 2012 legacy”
Twelve years on from London 2012, the planning powers that manage new development in Hackney Wick and Hackney’s section of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP) will begin to transition from the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) back to Hackney Council.
On 1 September 2024, the Council will take responsibility for decisions on all new planning applications in Hackney Wick, including the parts of the QEOP that fall within Hackney.
Responsibility for all planning powers, including shaping and adopting local planning policies and determining planning gain levies on new developments, will formally follow on 1 December 2024.
This marks the first milestone in local councils having a greater role in the future of the Olympic Park. It will provide greater local democratic accountability and control over decisions about the area, and ensure that the focus established by the LLDC on ensuring that local communities are the first to benefit from the Olympic legacy continues into the future.
In 2004, all planning powers were transferred to the then development corporation the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, followed by the Olympic Delivery Authority set up to deliver the 2012 games then the LLDC established to lead the London 2012 legacy on behalf of the Mayor of London and host boroughs.
Since London 2012, the Council has worked with the LLDC to ensure the growth of Hackney Wick benefits local communities and protects the area’s creative heart. This includes:
- a new, inclusive town centre through the Hackney Wick masterplan
- new planning rules to ensure development provides genuinely affordable workspace
- repurposing council-owned land to create new community facilities
- overseeing a 60% increase in creative-sector jobs through the Hackney Wick and Fish Island Creative Enterprise Zone
- hosting 6,500 people working and studying on site at Here East
- a new primary school at Mossbourne Riverside
- progress on a new neighbourhood at Eastwick and Sweetwater which will deliver 1,500 homes
Since 2005, Hackney has shared Hackney Wick with the rest of the world. The return of planning powers in Hackney Wick to the Council shows that what goes global must again become local.
As Paris 2024 has been taking place, it’s a timely moment to reflect on the success of London 2012, its legacy for London and the UK.
Hackney was instrumental in delivering a great games, and – working alongside the Mayor of London – ensuring Hackney and East London were part of its legacy.
The Council now looks forward to ensuring this legacy continues to deliver as it transitions from building places to supporting people – ensuring all can share in the opportunities that have been and continue to be created at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Hackney Council will ensure that all can capitalise on Hackney’s unique stake in the park and the relationships that have gone on to create the likes of Here East and Plexal, the North Park and Canal Park, Mossbourne Riverside Primary Academy, the new East Wick neighbourhood and the post-games Copper Box Arena.”
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Delivery, Inclusive Economy and Regeneration