Olympic ‘vision thing’

Tom Russell, group director of Olympic legacy for the London Development Agency, which owns the Olympic site, said it would ask developers for suggestions in the summer to see if a “vision” could be identified with an anchor scheme.

In addition the LDA will bring forward some legacy schemes around the outside of the Olympic Park before 2012 to demonstrate the area’s potential.

Russell said the LDA, which has the job of developing the legacy masterplan, was still undecided whether plans for creating a range of London communities in the Lee Valley site would be powerful enough to get regeneration off the ground.

He said: “We’re still thinking around the vision. We all agree that we should be creating a series of sustainable new places in this area but the question we’re asking is whether it ought to be something more than that?”

I’m sure any number of pet projects will emerge, but we want suggestions

Tom Russell, Legacy director

He raised the possibility of siting a cultural institution in the area but said the agency would consider any options. He said: “I’m sure any number of pet projects will come through, but we’re interested in suggestions. “

Russell said the LDA aimed to consult on a preferred option for the masterplan by November.

He added that ought there was an opportunity to develop a number of sites with housing before the Olympic Games in 2012 on LDA-owned land surrounding the Olympic park, particularly toward Hackney Wick.