Since the previous year’s Forum, the entire project has obviously received a huge boost with the success of London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics. ExCel was an appropriate host as it will be an Olympics venue for judo, boxing and weightlifting.
Under the banner of DCLG (formerly ODPM) its parent department, Government Office for London (GOL) outlined its part in this project. GOL works with regional and local partners to ensure that sustainable development is at the heart of all its strategies and programmes.
One of GOL’s objectives is to help local communities to enjoy a better quality of life in places that are attractive, prosperous and welcoming, and for residents to see improvements in their town centres, and their local environment. The Forum was opened by Rt Hon David Miliband, Minister of Communities and Local Government, who delivered a speech on how the Gateway offers a huge opportunity to tackle the housing shortage in the South East and set new standards for high quality sustainable development.
Partners and stakeholders were able to see an overview of everyone’s role in the project, discuss the key issues and view a 3D interactive model of the future Gateway. There was also a programme of specialist sessions where building contractors, ministers, architects and many others delivered seminars and fielded questions around the project.
