Munich decides on contested east side concert hall

The city cabinet agreed today to build a new concert hall in the vicinity of the Ostbahnhof. After ten years of prevarication and refusal, this is being acclaimed a triumph for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and its chief conductor, Mariss Jansons. The hall could be operational as soon as 2021.

There are drawbacks, however. At the moment, the development area is difficult to access by car. Cyclists and pedestrians can approach through two dark and dangerous tunnels. No-one has talked about building new roads.

We hear further that some of this development land is owned by a former Bavarian cabinet minister who is friendly with his successors.

Surprised?

A lobby group has formed to relocate the hall to the west of the city. This is not over yet.