GLA 2020/6693 MSG Sphere Stage 2 - Strategic planning application stage 2 referral

Oct 12, 2026

Planning report for GLA/2020/6693 (MSG Sphere) covers the Stage 2 referral process under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and related Greater London Authority legislation. It describes a multi-use entertainment and leisure development featuring an illuminated LED sphere, external podium and terraces, landscaping, and link bridges. Key concerns include residential light intrusion, unacceptable urban design and tall building impacts, and less-than-substantial harm to designated heritage assets, concluding that permission should be refused unless conditions and a section 106 agreement address major policy conflicts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages111

Reading Time39 min

AccessFree to download

Strategic planning application stage 2 referral

Proposal and uses

Applicant and key dates

Strategic issues summary

Residential amenity

Urban design and tall buildings

Historic environment

London Legacy Development Corporation’s decision

Recommendation

Context and referral categories

Planning report GLA/2020/6693/S2 20 November 2023 MSG Sphere, Land off Angel Lane, Stratford Local Planning Authority: London Legacy Development Corporation Local Planning Authority reference 19/00097/FUL | Strategic planning application stage 2 referral
Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended); Greater London Authority Acts 1999 and 2007; Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008. | | --- | | The proposal (‘Proposed Development’)
A multi-use entertainment and leisure development incorporating a Sphere (maximum height 90 metres, 96.5 metres AOD, maximum width 120 metres) covered with illuminated digital (LED) display; external podium , terraces with landscaping; and link bridges. Main venue capacity of 21,500 , smaller venue capacity of 1,500 , and member’s lounge capacity of 1,000 . Sui generis use including entertainment, assembly and leisure venue; music venue/nightclub; restaurant/members
lounge/nightclub; bars, restaurants, cafes and retail; highway and access works. | | The applicant
The applicant is Stratford Garden Development Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Madison Square Garden Company) and the architect is Populous. | | Key dates
GLA pre-application meetings: 29 August and 3 October 2018
GLA stage 1 report: 8 July 2019
LPA Planning Committee decision meetings: 22 March 2022 and 24 January 2023 | | Strategic issues summary
Residential amenity: The Proposed Development, due to the intensity, nature, and extent of external illumination, would cause significant light intrusion resulting in significant harm to the outlook of neighbouring properties, detriment to human health, and significant harm to the general amenity enjoyed by residents of their own homes. The properties most significantly impacted are within the Legacy Tower/Stratford Central, Stratford Eye, New Garden Quarter, Unite Student Accommodation. The proposed measures to mitigate visual impacts of the new nuisance-generating development on residential and other sensitive uses would not be adequate to avoid unacceptable harm, and in the case of blackout blinds would give rise to further harm to residential amenity. The Proposed Development would not be in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework; London Plan policies D3 (Part D7), D8 (Part B) , and D9 (Part C1h); and LLDC Local Plan policies BN.1 (Part 7), BN.4 (Part 5), BN.5 (Part 8), BN.16 (Parts 1 and 2) and S.1.
Urban design and tall buildings: The Proposed Development with a Sphere of 90 metres in height and 120 metres in width, by virtue of its scale, massing and design, would result in a bulky, unduly dominant and incongruous form of development, which would fail to respect the character and appearance of this part of the town centre and the site’s wider setting. In addition, the proposed design concept is a highly energy intensive use, does not achieve a high sustainability standard, and does not constitute good and sustainable design. As such, the Proposed Development would be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework; London Plan policies D3 and D9; and policies BN.1 (Part 2), | | BN.4 (Parts 8, and 9), BN.5 (Parts 1, 2, 5, and 6), BN.16 (Part 9), and SP.3 (Parts 2 and 3) of the LLDC Local Plan.
Historic environment: The Proposed Development would cause ‘less than substantial’ harm to the significance of 16 designated heritage assets, comprising 12 listed buildings, including the Grade II* Theatre Royal; 1 registered park and garden; and 3 conservation areas. The public benefits arising from the Proposed Development would not outweigh the less than substantial harm it would cause. As such, the Proposed Development would be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework; London Plan policies HC1, D3 (Part D11) and D9 (Part C1d); and policies BN.16 (Part 8) and BN.17 (Part 1) of the LLDC Local Plan.
The benefits and areas of compliance with Development Plan policies do not outweigh the identified harms an

FAQs

What development is proposed in the MSG Sphere Stage 2 report?

A multi-use entertainment and leisure scheme featuring a LED-illuminated Sphere, external podium and terraces with landscaping, and link bridges, with capacities including a main venue of 21,500 and smaller venues for entertainment, assembly and leisure.

What are the main strategic issues raised against granting permission?

The report highlights significant light intrusion harming residential amenity, concerns about bulky and dominant urban design for a tall building, and less-than-substantial harm to 16 designated heritage assets where public benefits do not outweigh the harm.

What is the final recommendation and decision basis?

GLA officers recommend the Mayor direct the London Legacy Development Corporation to refuse planning permission, citing conflict with the Development Plan policies on residential amenity, good design, and London heritage, with reasons set out in the report.

Oct 12, 2026

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