Richard Rogers

Tony Blair's government was offered the chance to move The Millennium Dome out of London to Swindon, according to newly-released official files.

Papers from The National Archives show one of the biggest headaches for the government in early 2001 was The Future of The Dome - Now the O2 Arena - on the Greenwich Peninsula .

Among the offers, was a proposal to Move It 80 miles west to Wiltshire.

The then-Science Museum Director said it could be a new research centre.

The eye-catching proposition was made after two failed attempts to sell The Giant tent-like structure. Designed by Lord Richard Rogers , The Dome was built at a cost of £789m to house The Millennium Experience, a series of exhibitions around a central arena, which lasted during the year 2000.

In March 2001, The Director of the Science Museum Lindsay Sharp came up with a solution for The Venue .

He faxed the Prime Minister 's office directly on the 6 March 2001 with a " completely different and exciting possibility for The Dome ".

He Said the external Dome structure could be moved to a 620 acre site owned by The Museum . There it could house a research centre, exhibition attraction, and " a living residential community of the 'third age'" as well as a tourist village and special school.

Such an approach would free up the existing site in London, which could then be sold for up to £400m, if developed intensively, claimed The Director .

But the files show that Mr Blair wanted The Iconic structure to stay in Greenwich, even if that made a sale more difficult.

It was not Until December that a buyer was found. Property developer Meridian Delta took over The Site and its surrounding area. In 2007 The Dome opened as The Music and sports venue, the O2 Arena .

Source of news: bbc.com