Once London Mayor Boris Johnson gives final ratification, the English Premier League football club, which is expected to move into the new ground in 2016 after securing a 99-year deal, can begin the £190 million ($286 million/€222 million) conversion to a UEFA category four football venue – the highest football stadium standard in the world.

West Ham will contribute £15 million ($23 million/€17 million) to the project and is expected to pay £2 million ($3 million/€2.3 million) a year in rent.

Legacy Corporation chief executive Dennis Hone welcomed the news, saying it represents a significant Olympic legacy for Londoners.

"This is an important milestone that paves the way for the Stadium's intended legacy use as an all-year-round venue," he said.

"As we prepare for the phased re-opening of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this summer, with the long-term future of all eight permanent venues on the Park now secure, we remain firmly on track to deliver a meaningful physical and social legacy for Londoners."

The approved alterations include the installation of retractable seating on all four sides of the grounds, an 84-metre transparent roof - the largest-spanning tensile roof in the world - and the reuse of the iconic lighting towers from the London 2012 Games.


"This is another key milestone on our journey to Stratford and my Board and I are delighted with the decision," West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady said.

"We always knew that the innovative plans for the Olympic Stadium could create a globally-recognised football stadium and we were confident that planning permission would be granted to allow the conversion work to begin.

"For me and my team the hard work is only just beginning.

"This is an incredible opportunity to create a world-class stadium for West Ham supporters that will exceed their expectations and the chance to really deliver a lasting legacy for London."

Five firms, Balfour Beatty, Buckingham Group, ISG, Shepherd Construction and Sir Robert McAlpine, are in the running for the contract for the conversion works.

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