The contentious £800 million MSG Sphere development in Stratford has sparked fresh controversy this week.
This 300ft-high sphere is slated to display animated adverts for 25 years, boasting capacity for 21,500 spectators and an exterior adorned with thousands of LED screens.
Developers have offered locals blackout blinds to mitigate the luminous images projected from the colossal orb-like structure.
The replica of a Las Vegas concert venue has drawn both support and opposition, leaving many questioning the project’s estimated cost and seeking the stance of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
While approved by the London Legacy Development Corporation, final authorisation rests with Khan and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, pending a holding directive.
If green-lit, construction is projected to span three years. Advocates anticipate a £2.5 billion boost to the capital’s economy annually, yet concerns linger over potential infrastructural strain, light pollution and environmental impacts on wildlife.
Developers promise brightness adjustments based on time of day and vow to furnish residents with blackout blinds.
City Hall politicians have urged Khan to withhold planning permission, aligning with the London Assembly Environment Committee’s call to prevent light pollution’s adverse effects.
A spokesperson for the Mayor affirmed that comments await a final decision on the live application.
[Image via The Madison Square Garden Company]