London 2012's Early Legacy Planning on Track to Deliver Robust Benefits
The London bid is on the right path to maximise pre and post Games benefits for the capital and the country from staging an Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, according to new research.
After the Gold Rush, published today by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), reinforces London 2012’s approach to planning long term community benefits of the Games long before the Games begin.
'We have known from the outset of our bid that creating long term benefits of the Games requires early planning, consultation and commitment,' said Bid Chairman Sebastian Coe.
'That is why we established a Legacy Board early in our bid with specific responsibility for overseeing all aspect of our legacy plans, from physical legacy of the venues to social, environmental, cultural, health and education legacy,' added Coe.
The Legacy Board, which is chaired by Patrick Carter, Chair of Sport England, comprises members from central and local Government, local communities, sports bodies and the London Development Agency.
The London legacy will deliver a wide range of social, economic, environmental, health and sporting benefits linked to the staging of the Games.
The London 2012 Games will demonstrate the power of the Olympic movement to improve people’s lives and create new futures for Olympic host communities through sport for generations to come.
'Our aim is to create real benefits to the community in which the Games are staged – better quality of life, better education and employment opportunities, better sports facilities and an improved physical environment.
The legacy planning is already delivering real benefits for the communities of London with the early commencement of a new world class aquatic centre with two 50m pools and the approval of the East London Line Extension.
Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) said:
'It is particularly important to understand the message that only by embedding legacy planning into every aspect of our preparations for the Games will we make the most the opportunities available to us. Legacy matters to the IOC. The Olympics, if they are to continue to flourish, have to be affordable and to bring clear benefits to the host city and nation.'
Coe said the Games would also create genuine long term benefits to grass roots and elite sport across the UK.
'We have every confidence that a Games in London will make a profit. 60% of these profits will be ploughed back into grass roots sport development across the UK,' added Coe.
One of the key tasks of the Bid’s Legacy Board is to put in place clear and substantiated business plans for every permanent venue.
'There is a requirement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to have in place a five year business plan for each venue that is staying after the Games. We believe five years is not long enough so are in the process of putting together 25 year business plans for each venue that is staying.
'If there is no long term, viable future for any venue then it will not be built. It is that simple. We will not leave any white elephants,' said Coe.
The recently approved planning consent for Olympic Park contains commitments to social, environmental, employment and business legacy benefits including:
A lasting Olympic Park legacy which includes 9,000 new homes, 50 per cent affordable for local people, and new community office and retail space.
Development of a local employment and training framework to be drawn up before development starts.
An Olympic Park which fits into a wider, long term regeneration programme in east London, including skills training projects such as construction skills programmes.
A priority on healthy living by providing greater walking, cycling and sporting opportunities, programmes and incentives.
'The work of the Legacy Board will continue right up to the vote in Singapore next July and right on to the Games in 2012 if we are selected as host city,' added Coe.
Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) added:
'I am pleased to see that some of the challenges identified in this report are those we have already begun to think about, and act upon.
'I am confident that the plans we submit to the IOC in November will reassure the Olympic movement that we have put legacy planning at the heart of our bid and give us the best possible chance of winning the vote next year.'
For further information please call the London 2012 Press Office on 020 7093 5100 / Jackie Brock-Doyle on 07876 785 756
After the Gold Rush, published today by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr), reinforces London 2012’s approach to planning long term community benefits of the Games long before the Games begin.
'We have known from the outset of our bid that creating long term benefits of the Games requires early planning, consultation and commitment,' said Bid Chairman Sebastian Coe.
'That is why we established a Legacy Board early in our bid with specific responsibility for overseeing all aspect of our legacy plans, from physical legacy of the venues to social, environmental, cultural, health and education legacy,' added Coe.
The Legacy Board, which is chaired by Patrick Carter, Chair of Sport England, comprises members from central and local Government, local communities, sports bodies and the London Development Agency.
The London legacy will deliver a wide range of social, economic, environmental, health and sporting benefits linked to the staging of the Games.
The London 2012 Games will demonstrate the power of the Olympic movement to improve people’s lives and create new futures for Olympic host communities through sport for generations to come.
'Our aim is to create real benefits to the community in which the Games are staged – better quality of life, better education and employment opportunities, better sports facilities and an improved physical environment.
The legacy planning is already delivering real benefits for the communities of London with the early commencement of a new world class aquatic centre with two 50m pools and the approval of the East London Line Extension.
Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) said:
'It is particularly important to understand the message that only by embedding legacy planning into every aspect of our preparations for the Games will we make the most the opportunities available to us. Legacy matters to the IOC. The Olympics, if they are to continue to flourish, have to be affordable and to bring clear benefits to the host city and nation.'
Coe said the Games would also create genuine long term benefits to grass roots and elite sport across the UK.
'We have every confidence that a Games in London will make a profit. 60% of these profits will be ploughed back into grass roots sport development across the UK,' added Coe.
One of the key tasks of the Bid’s Legacy Board is to put in place clear and substantiated business plans for every permanent venue.
'There is a requirement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to have in place a five year business plan for each venue that is staying after the Games. We believe five years is not long enough so are in the process of putting together 25 year business plans for each venue that is staying.
'If there is no long term, viable future for any venue then it will not be built. It is that simple. We will not leave any white elephants,' said Coe.
The recently approved planning consent for Olympic Park contains commitments to social, environmental, employment and business legacy benefits including:
'The work of the Legacy Board will continue right up to the vote in Singapore next July and right on to the Games in 2012 if we are selected as host city,' added Coe.
Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) added:
'I am pleased to see that some of the challenges identified in this report are those we have already begun to think about, and act upon.
'I am confident that the plans we submit to the IOC in November will reassure the Olympic movement that we have put legacy planning at the heart of our bid and give us the best possible chance of winning the vote next year.'
For further information please call the London 2012 Press Office on 020 7093 5100 / Jackie Brock-Doyle on 07876 785 756