APPENDIX 10
Memorandum submitted by Brent Council
Further inquiry and implications for Wembley
and the new Wembley National Stadium arising from:
— 2005 World Athletics Championships;
— England bid for the 2006 FIFA World
Cup;
— Prospects for a British Olympic bid.
Written evidence to the Committee has previously
been submitted by LB Brent outlining the role of the Council and
focussing comment on the need for a comprehensive approach to
stadium development, infrastructure requirements and related regeneration
opportunities.
Brent Council's interest in the above matters
stems from being:
— a key partner in the bid submission
for National Lottery funding for Wembley Stadium;
— the planning and transportation authority
for the National Stadium development; and
— a member of the Wembley Task Force
charged by government with bringing about the regeneration of
Wembley.
On behalf of the Council my comments on the
areas of interest highlighted by the Committee are as follows:
2005 WORLD ATHLETICS
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Council continues to be a supporter of the
proposals to stage the World Athletics Championships in London
in 2005 and views Wembley and the proposed new National Stadium
as a potentially suitable venue. The Championships would be a
fitting inauguration for what we all trust will be a "world
class" sports and entertainment venue. The Council believes
that the staging of the Championships at the new Stadium would
also maximise the value of the investment being made not just
in the new development itself but also the investment in the infrastructure
supporting the new Stadium. Moreover most of the complex logistical
issues concerning the Stadium development have or are close to
being resolved. The additional resource implications of staging
the World Athletics Championships (eg temporary stadium alterations
and warm-up track) would be relatively marginal. The Council has
sought to be co-operative with all parties in this matter.
ENGLAND BID
FOR THE
2006 FIFA WORLD CUP
The Council was disappointed with the FIFA 2006
World Cup decision. The Council was not involved in the bid and
therefore it is not in a position to offer any insight into the
bid process. As with our policy towards the new National Stadium
in Wembley, it is our view that the quality of the transport infrastructure,
hotel, conferencing and complementary developments are key factors
in making sports venues economically sustainable and successful
hosts to major events.
PROSPECTS FOR
A BRITISH
OLYMPIC BID
Should Britain opt to bid to stage the Olympics,
the Council's view is that this could include Wembley National
Stadium as an important component providing that event and related
development proposals would not impinge on the commercial regeneration
of the area. The Council has co-operated with the investigations
of London International Sport, the British Olympic Association
and Sport England to determine the suitability of Wembley as part
of an Olympic bid. The Council awaits their findings and will
continue to assist such bodies in their deliberations as and when
appropriate.
November 2000
| 
