Dome runs to seed

The derelict site was once the jewel in New Labour's crown. At its opening, Londoners were promised a spectacular showcase for 21st century Britain which would spearhead the regeneration of the Greenwich peninsula.

But as these pictures show, nearly four years after it closed, the land around the Millennium Dome remains a weed-strewn wasteland still awaiting development.

Now MPs are to launch a fresh inquiry into how the Government handled the sale of the site.

In June ministers finally signed off contracts for the ?5billion regeneration of the area. Work will start later this year, transforming the Dome into a huge Sun City-style entertainment complex. American billionaire Philip Anschutz plans to create a world-class sports and music arena, and there are also plans to build schools, healthcare centres and 10,000 homes.

Mr Anschutz has also entered into an agreement with South African tycoon Sol Kerzner, who wants to build a hotel and casino on the site.

But questions remain about why the prime location was

allowed to stand vacant for so long - at an estimated cost of ?30million to the taxpayer. Since 2001 English Partnerships, the agency charged with overseeing the Dome, has racked up ?22million in decommissioning and selling costs and paid more than ?8 million for management and security of the site. This money is in addition to the ?603million of Lottery cash and ?180million in grants swallowed up by the project.

Simon Hughes MP, Liberal Democrat spokesman for London, said it was disgraceful it had taken so long to regenerate the area: "The continuing saga of the Dome is the visible monstrous carbuncle of New Labour in London. If it were not so expensive it would be a comedy of errors. It is simply scandalous it has taken so long to make so little progress."

The influential Commons Public Accounts Committee wants to quiz representatives of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, English Partnerships and the business community about a multi-million-pound bill for decommissioning the Dome.

The committee may also question officials about why the Dome was given for nothing to Mr Anschutz in return for a share of any future profits. The developer faces more than 30 court actions in the US over his business dealings.