APPENDIX 10
Memorandum submitted by the London Borough
of Brent
1. THE DESIGN
OF THE
NEW STADIUM
AND ITS
SUITABILITY FOR
FOOTBALL, ATHLETICS
AND THE
OLYMPICS
1.1 Despite recent controversy and notwithstanding
the need to complete the final planning, design and development
stage of the project, LB Brent believe that Wembley and the stadium
site is an ideal location for a national stadium catering for
a wide range of sports and entertainment uses.
1.2 The reason why Wembley was originally
chosen as the location for the new national stadium over other
potential locations remains pertinent. The value to the nation
of the stadium development at Wembley rests on its established
accessibility to over 18 million people within 90 minutes travelling
time and its sustainable transport potential and cultural importance
as an internationally renowned venue. Properly developed, LB Brent
believes that the new Wembley will contribute significantly to
London's status as a "world city". The multi-million
pound regeneration proposals for Wembley as a whole, stemming
from the new stadium development and under consideration by the
Wembley Task Force, offer the best chance of reversing over two
decades of economic decline in the Wembley area and uplifting
the fortunes of a local catchment population blighted by some
of the UK's worst deprivation.
1.3 LB Brent express disappointment with
the decision to abandon the early provision of athletics facilities
at Wembley and thereby the potential to host the 2005 World Athletics
Championships. However, LB Brent still believe that Wembley should
feature in considerations for future Olympic Stadium venues in
London given its internationally renowned brand-name and transport
infrastructure potential. Brent believes Wembley could support
an Olympic stadium and a number of other appropriate Olympic venues
accessible to a West London Olympic village.
1.4 Whilst LB Brent has not undertaken any
thorough going analysis of the athletics capacity of the most
recent stadium design, it has always been its belief, based on
analysis of comparable venues, that an appropriate and cost-effective
design solution could be found to the conversion of the stadium
to suit different sports and entertainment uses. Brent is disappointed
that such design options have not been sufficiently explored.
2. PROGRESS WITH
THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE
NEW STADIUM
AND ITS
FINANCING
2.1 LB Brent believes that progress with
the national stadium development programme could have been enhanced
if the project had been planned and undertaken in its entirety
by all of the main sponsors from the outset. In particular, LB
Brent consider that the issues of the warm-up track, hosting of
major events, infrastructure and regeneration should have been
integral to the project programme rather than the pre-occupation
with the stadium venue alone. The formation of the Wembley Task
Force has done much to rectify this early deficiency.
2.2 As an enabling authority with regeneration
aspirations as well as statutory planning and licensing powers,
LB Brent has undertaken a supportive role in the stadium project.
LB Brent has given clear and early guidance of its plans, proposals
and requirements. It has also advocated the merits of the stadium
project to a wide number of public agencies, private business
interests, community groups and organisations. Brent Council will
be seeking to minimise the adverse impact of the proposed development
through its planning and development powers whilst seeking to
maximise local, regional and national gains in its regeneration
initiatives. Council initiatives include:
| 1995-96 | Creation of LB Brent Wembley Project;
Formulate English National Stadium bid;
Jointly sponsor Sir Norman Foster Wembley Masterplan;
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| 1996 | Submission of successful Wembley Park SRB Round 2 proposal and initiation of programme;
|
| 1997 | Propose formation of the English National Stadium Trust;
Commission Wembley Town Centre Gateway Study;
|
| 1998 | Approve Wembley National Stadium Planning Brief;
Commission Comprehensive Regeneration Framework Study;
|
| Publicly announce likely Section 106 requirement a year in advance of stadium acquisition and 18 months ahead of receipt of application;
|
| 1998 | Call for government backed Minister/agency to co-ordinate stadium infrastructure provision and regeneration programme;
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| 1999 | Undertake preliminary master-planning and urban design studies;
Support World Athletics Championships Bid delegation;
Revised Unitary Development Plan Wembley Inset; Support to establishment of Wembley Task Force.
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2.3 As the local planning authority, LB Brent is in receipt
of the Stadium Planning Application (November 1999) and is nearing
completion of statutory public consultation.
2.4 As at January 2000, LB Brent is on course to determine
the application by March/April 2000.
2.5 Given the current absence of any firm commitments
from relevant parties for the funding and provision of necessary
transport infrastructure, the LB Brent Planning Committee charged
with determining the Stadium Planning Application could be placed
in some difficulty in granting approval for the submitted scheme.
Key issues currently being addressed by relevant parties include:
(i) Upgrading of the three rail/tube stations serving
the Wembley Complex area (Wembley Park, Wembley Stadium and Wembley
Central Stations);
(ii) Upgrading the road access to the stadium from the
North Circular Road (A406);
(iii) Upgrading pedestrian access between the major transport
interchanges and the stadium.
2.6 Brent Council anticipates that affordable solutions
within a realistic timescale, can be found through a combination
of public and private finance under the auspices of the Wembley
Task Force.
3. PROVISION FOR
AN ACCOMPANYING
WARM-UP
TRACK IF
THE STADIUM
IS USED
FOR ATHLETICS
3.1 LB Brent has co-operated fully with the Wembley Task
Force, the BOA and representatives of UK Athletics formulating
the World Athletics Championships bid, in identifying options
for the siting of an athletics warm-up track close to the proposed
new stadium.
4. THE ROLE
OF THE
GOVERNMENT AND
OF PUBLIC
AGENCIES IN
THE PROJECT
4.1 In respect of the Wembley Stadium project, LB Brent
has sought to represent the public interest particularly at a
local level but also importantly to reflect the regional and national
public interest.
4.2 In good faith LB Brent has committed substantial
local resources to the progression of the project on the understanding
that there was government support for the project and its regenerative
aims.
4.3 LB Brent has sought to conduct its business in an
open and accountable way and to involve a wide number of public
agencies through consultation and direct participation in the
decision-making process.
4.4 LB Brent is an active participant and is fully supportive
of the work of the Wembley Task Force.
4.5 LB Brent has striven to involve the local community
and keep them informed through its "Area Consultation Forums",
newsletters, press releases and web pages. LB Brent continues
to pursue polices and proposals to minimise the adverse impact
of stadium development proposals on local residents and businesses
and to maximise the local, regional and national opportunities
through its regeneration initiatives.
January 2000
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