HL Deb 06 October 2003 vol 653 cc14-5WA
Baroness Blatch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the sale of the Dome has been completed, and when it is expected to re-open for business. [HL4538]

Lord Rooker

English Partnership (EP), Meridian Delta Ltd and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) signed contracts on 29 May 2002, to develop much of the Greenwich Peninsula, including a new use for the Dome. The deal is conditional primarily on securing planning permission satisfactory to the contracting parties.

On 23 December 2002 a planning application was submitted to the London Borough of Greenwich (LBG), for a 26,000 capacity arena inside the Dome, with associated facilities, and a new masterplan covering 15m sq.ft. on the Greenwich Peninsula, the delivery of over 10,000 homes-many of which will be affordable and the creation of 20,000 jobs. The private sector investment is expected to be £4 billion.

In April 2003 LBG resolved that it is minded to grant permission subject to a number of conditions and subject to legal requirements. The Mayor confirmed in June he would not refuse permission and in July my right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed the application would not be called in for his determination. Negotiations between LBG and the applicants over the section 106 and section 278 agreements are ongoing.

Subject to the successful completion of agreements, a satisfactory planning permission and satisfaction of other conditions, the contracts relating to the sale of the Dome and development of land on the Greenwich Peninsula should go unconditonal in spring 2004. On this basis AEG's current aim is to open the Dome arena in late 2006, or possibly 2007.

In the interim period the Dome continues to host popular events, the most recent being the Festival of Asia on 23 to 25 August. EP continues to explore opportunities for events in the Dome while the deal with MDL is being completed.

Baroness Blatch

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What expenditure has been incurred on the maintenance and security of the Dome since its closure. [HL4539]

Lord Rooker

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) was responsible for maintaining the Dome from its closure on 31 December 2000 to the end of June 2001. English Partnerships (EP) took over responsibility in July 2001. In total £8 million has been incurred on maintenance and security from the Dome's closure on 31 December 2000 to July 2003: £1.9 million by NMEC from January 2001 to the end of June 2001 and –6.1 million by EP from July 2001 to July 2003.