Dome plan approved by council

Plans to turn the Millennium Dome into a major sporting and entertainment centre have been approved by Greenwich Council.

The matter will now be passed to London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who has expressed some concern about the housing aspect of the overall plan by consortium Meridian Delta.

Livingstone wants 5,000 of the 10,000 homes planned for the site to be less expensive ones rather than the 3,500 envisaged by Meridian.

The developer is aiming for a complete regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula which would see the Dome used as a 20,000-seater arena, as well as the construction of new offices, shops, a school and hotel.

The deal would result in a £550m return to the government over a 25-year period.

Meridian's director Bert Martin said: "We are naturally very pleased with the unanimous decision.

"Although this is an important first step in securing planning permission, there remains a great deal of further work to be undertaken to discuss and resolve the remaining issues."