Plans for the new London 2012 Handball Arena have been given the green light by the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) planning committee.

Designed by Make Architects with PTW and Arup, the planning application for the 7,000-seat venue has been recommended for approval when it goes before the Greater London Authority (GLA) before permission is ultimately granted. The arena will be situated in the west of the Olympic Park within four minutes of the Olympic Village, and will stage the handball preliminary rounds and quarter finals, as well as the modern pentathlon discipline of fencing and Paralympic goalball events.

After the London 2012 Games, the venue will be converted into a 2,743sq m (29,525sq ft) multi-sports venue with retractable seating for 6,000 spectators as part of legacy plans. David Higgins, ODA chief executive, said: "This takes us a step closer towards a simple, sustainable and flexible handball arena that works for Games and legacy. Construction is on track to start this summer on the arena, which will provide a great experience for competitors and spectators."

Sebastian Coe, chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, added: "This facility will be a high-quality venue at Games-time but also provides a legacy for sport in London and the UK. The fact that handball will have its own arena at Games-time will be a great boost to the sport in this country." Image: ODA