New order rights 'a key milestone on the project,' says acting chair of Olympic Delivery Authority

The London Development Agency has gained the compulsory purchase order rights necessary for the delivery of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Sir Roy McNulty, acting chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority which is charged with delivering the venues and the infrastructure for the Games described the latest development as “a key milestone on the project.”

“The confirmation of the CPO gives the LDA powers to acquire land needed for the Games and long-term regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley in the event that private agreements cannot be reached for the remaining land,” he said.

The LDA has already secured ownership of 93% of the land needed for the Games.

McNulty was upbeat about the ODA’s progress, despite the high-profile departure of chairman Jack Lemley in October.

He said: “The site masterplan is agreed with games and legacy planned together. Our delivery partner has started work. The transport plan has been published six years before the Games. The designs for the Aquatics Centre have been published and, last week, we began post-bid demolition work at Eton Manor in the north of the site on time.”