HC Deb 26 June 2003 vol 407 cc902-3W
Nick Harvey

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the running costs of the Millennium Dome were in each of the last six months. [115999]

Mr. McNulty

Final cost figures are not yet available for March and April 2003, as English Partnerships are awaiting a number of outstanding invoices. However, EP's management, maintenance, security and staff costs1 incurred for the six months up to February 2003 was £1.477 million. This is made up of the following monthly breakdown:

Month Cost (£)
September 242,000
October 241,000
November 262,000
December 253,000
January 250,000
February 229,000
Total 1,477,000

These costs, and others incurred by English Partnerships since they took over responsibility for the Dome in July 2001 will be recovered from sale proceeds.

1 Monthly costs include rates, utilities, security and maintenance, and English Partnerships' staff costs on management and maintenance of the Dome. Costs are calculated on an accruals basis and may be subject to reassessments, by the relevant authorities, of rates or other charges included in the cost of managing and maintaining the Dome.
Angela Watkinson

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost of maintaining the Millennium Dome has been since its closure; and what plans he has for its future use. [116485]

Mr. McNulty

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) was responsible for maintaining the Dome from its closure on 31 December 2000 to end of June 2001. English Partnerships (EP) took over responsibility in July 2001. In total £6.9 million was incurred from the Dome's closure on 31 December 2000 to February 2003: £1.9 million by NMEC from January 2001 to end of June 2001 and £5.0 million by EP from July 2001 to February 2003. EP's final cost figures are not yet available for March and April 2003, as it is awaiting a number of outstanding invoices.

EP and MDL 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 (LEG), for a 26,000 capacity arena inside the Dome, with associated facilities, and a new masterplan covering 190 acres of the Greenwich Peninsula.

LBG's Planning Committee considered the planning application on 16 April 2003 and resolved that it is minded to grant permission subject to a number of conditions and resolution of section 106 negotiations. As part of the normal planning process, the application was referred by LEG to the Mayor and my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 29 May 2003.