Olympic Delivery Authority (Planning Functions) Order 2006

My honourable friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. This Statement concerns a consultation on the transfer of certain powers from existing planning authorities to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The ODA is to be established, subject to parliamentary approval, following Royal Assent to the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Bill. The making of the planning functions order to give the ODA powers must be preceded by a consultation process. Copies of the Olympic Delivery Authority (Planning Functions) Order Consultation Paper have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses today. The consultation period will run from today for eight weeks until 12 April. Giving planning powers to the ODA will facilitate the planning process for the Olympic Park, bearing in mind the scale of development involved, the timescales attached, and the integrated nature of the project. The transfer of powers from the existing planning authorities to the ODA would not change the nature of those powers, nor would it lessen the transparency of the planning process. The ODA as planning authority would follow the same, or similar, procedures as the boroughs and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, in which the Olympic Park is situated. Applicants would have the same rights of appeal against decisions by the ODA. The planning powers taken by the ODA will operate within a defined geographical boundary. The consultation map shows the expected area of the Olympic Park, as well as other areas where development is considered integral to the delivery of the park. The consultation paper does not seek views on the layout of the park or the area to be covered by the Olympic Park development. The consultation paper seeks views on what area should be subject to ODA planning powers and the extent of the planning powers to be given to the ODA.