London Sphere developers claim plans were “hijacked” by Mayor Sadiq Khan in “bogus” and “last minute” refusal

nme.com:

first announced back in 2018 by the Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp (MSG) – the same company behind the iconic Sphere venue in Las Vegas.However, following five years of back and forth, it was revealed last month that the venue would most likely not be coming to the UK as Mayor Sadiq Khan intervened in the decision, citing the “unacceptable negative impact” it would have on the local residents.These included the strains on local infrastructure and health risks tied to the development.

Similarly, the London Assembly environment committee warned of the unacceptable light levels that would be made by the venue – with the finished product set to have an estimated one million LED light bulbs on its exterior.Following his decision, MP Michael Gove questioned whether the choice to scrap the project was a mistake, and it was reported that he was working to instruct Khan not to abandon planning proposals via a letter to the London Legacy Development Corporation.Now, MSG have shared a new statement in light of Khan’s decision, and claimed that the progress was “hijacked” by a “bogus last-minute report”.“The entire five-year planning process was hijacked by the mayor and his bogus last-minute report.

Londoners should be dismayed that they are not going to benefit from this groundbreaking project, and others looking to invest in London should certainly be wary,” a Sphere Entertainment spokesperson told NME.“Moreso, everyone should be alarmed by how easily the government’s established process was tossed aside by one politically motivated official,” the statement adds. “Mr Gove’s action, although commendable, still appears to us to be more of the same, and we cannot continue to participate in a process that can be so easily.