黑洞社区

The fate of Populous鈥� 96m tall spherical entertainment arena for Stratford is set to be decided next month.

The 21,500-capacity MSG Sphere is scheduled to be heard at the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) planning committee on 28 September. It .

The have stirred up huge controversy because of the building鈥檚 size and also because its entire skin will be covered in illuminated LEDs beaming advertisements in every direction around it 鈥� including into surrounding flats.

Promoted by the Madison Square Garden (MSG) entertainment group, it is planned for a 1.9ha triangular site between railway lines next to the Westfield shopping centre and close to the London Stadium 鈥� the former Olympic stadium which was also designed by Populous.

Historic England warned it would do some damage to nearby conservation areas because of its height, massing and 鈥渋ntrusive disturbance on their settings鈥�.

West Ham FC have written to the LLDC to point out that it only agreed to move to the London Stadium on the basis that its matches would take precedence over any other local events. The operators of the 02 are also objecting to the venue which they see as a rival.

Newham, in whose patch it stands, objects, as does Hackney whose officers said the glow would have a detrimental impact on ecology in the Lee Valley.

The Sphere, which will have a diameter of 120m, is similar to a $1.8bn venue MSG is building in Las Vegas which is due to open in 2023.

In addition to the main venue, the plans include a smaller music club or nightclub, retail space, a cafe, restaurants and outdoor spaces.

In spring 2019, 黑洞社区 reported that McLaren was tipped to beat Sir Robert McAlpine to the job which is believed to have a development value of at least 拢800m.