London ‘Sphere’ venue will not go ahead as plans withdrawn
Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) has decided to abandon its plans for the London Sphere venue, stating that it has become a “mere political pawn in the rivalry between political parties.” In a letter to the Planning Inspectorate, MSG expressed deep disappointment that Londoners would not benefit from the innovative technology of the Sphere and the thousands of well-paying jobs it could have generated, according to the PA news agency.
The London Sphere, originally intended for Stratford in east London, was designed to accommodate 21,000 people and stand at a height of 300 feet. In December, Housing Secretary Michael Gove intervened to review the rejection of planning permission by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. However, Sphere Entertainment, a subsidiary of MSG, informed Mr. Gove of their decision to withdraw their application for the London Sphere and decline participation in the review process.
A spokesperson for the company emphasized their commitment to collaborating with forward-thinking cities worldwide that are genuinely interested in bringing the Sphere project to their communities. MSG’s letter to the Planning Inspectorate officially confirmed the withdrawal, citing their inability to continue participating in a process marred by political disputes, despite investing millions of pounds in acquiring the Stratford site and undergoing a five-year planning process with various government bodies.
The decision not to build the London Sphere stemmed from objections raised by Mayor Khan. He argued that the venue would result in significant light pollution, harming the views of nearby properties, impacting human health, and diminishing the overall quality of life for local residents. Additionally, the mayor criticized the design as being too bulky and dominant, lacking good sustainability principles. Residents near the proposed site were reportedly offended when MSG allegedly suggested providing blackout blinds as a solution to mitigate the glow from the Sphere’s illuminated images.
