The London Legacy Development Corporation is to take on new planning functions and powers for the Legacy Corporation area, including Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

From 1 October 2012, the Legacy Corporation will become the local planning authority for the Park and adjoining areas in Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Hackney and Newham. The new Planning Policy and Decisions Team’s powers will include determining planning applications, appeals, enforcement and listed building consents.

Led by Vivienne Ramsey, currently Director of the Olympic Delivery Authority’s (ODA) Planning Decisions Team, they will prepare a Local Plan for the area, as well as setting its own Community Infrastructure Levy charge and provide support to the Legacy Corporation’s Planning Decisions Committee as it makes decisions on applications.

Dennis Hone, interim Chief Executive, London Legacy Development Corporation, said:

“Taking on these functions and this team is the next logical step in ensuring that we are able to maximise London’s 2012 legacy through developing Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and surrounding areas of east London.

“Being a single point of contact for regeneration – landowner, developer, planning authority and investor – will better enable us to secure and promote high-quality sustainable development and investment in order to benefit local communities.”

Vivienne Ramsey, Director designate of Planning Policy and Decisions, said:

“We look forward to working closely with the boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest and the Mayor’s Office to develop a planning service that works for all communities.”

The Legacy Corporation will operate like any other planning authority. Most of the land within its planning area will be used for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It will consist of a North Park that will provide parklands, wetlands and open green spaces and a South Park that will be a dynamic, landscaped public area dedicated to entertainment and activity offering people new experiences every time they visit.

The Park will also be home to five new neighbourhoods with 8000 homes, schools, health centres and shops. Other sites will be transformed into new business areas.