The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced today that he has agreed a deal that will kick-start housing development on the Greenwich Peninsula, creating over 4,000 jobs in the construction of 1,350 new homes by the end of 2015 - a milestone in the delivery of this landmark South East London scheme.
As part of the deal brokered by the Mayor with the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is working with its development partner, Greenwich Peninsula Regeneration Ltd (GPRL), to facilitate the start of the next phase of house building on the 190 acre plot.
Around 10,000 new homes, 600 student beds, and 3.5 million sq ft of commercial floorspace are ultimately planned for the site, transforming what was an old gas works into a major new residential, business and leisure district. The Mayor’s aim is to accelerate his ongoing programme of releasing more land to drive investment in London’s economy and to deliver more desperately needed housing, particularly affordable housing, for Londoners.
With this in mind he has also today announced progress on a number of other key sites in London, including at two former hospital sites in Cane Hill, Croydon, and the Queen Elizabeth site in Tower Hamlets, where more than 800 homes will be built, subject to planning.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Ambitious schemes like this will not only create the thousands of jobs that are vital to grow our economy, but will ensure London cements its position as one of the world’s best cities to live, work and invest in.
“The transformation of Greenwich Peninsula is undoubtedly one of the most exciting development opportunities in London. This latest phase of regeneration will seal its future as a thriving, well-connected new district, combining vibrant new residential areas and fantastic leisure facilities.”
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, said: "Today the Mayor and I can announce we've unlocked this once stalled site in Greenwich that will now get workers back on site, construction back on track and help get our Capital City building in 2012 the new homes Londoners needs. London and the taxpayer are getting real value for money and a return on their land and investment."
Jackie Jacob, HCA London Director, said: “The HCA has been instrumental in brokering the deal to secure the next phase of development at Greenwich Peninsula, meaning that work can start on site later in the year. We look forward to the delivery of more high-quality homes that will enhance availability and choice for Londoners.”
Mark Dickinson, Managing Director of Lend Lease Development, said: “Lend Lease is excited to be delivering this vital regeneration project which will create outstanding places to live as well as a vibrant commercial centre. In addition to the Peninsula, we are vigorously progressing our two other major London regeneration schemes at Stratford and Elephant & Castle. We are committed to regenerating sustainably and in close partnership with local people.”
Rebecca Worthington, Finance Director at Quintain Estates and Development plc, said: “Greenwich Peninsula has the potential to be London’s most exciting new district, with a world class entertainment venue and a highly sustainable business quarter reachable within minutes from your own front door. We are delighted to have worked with our partners to unlock the residential element of the scheme and look forward to starting the construction of new homes with unbeatable views of the Canary Wharf skyline later this year.”
The Greenwich Peninsula area is fast establishing itself as a vibrant and exciting new part of London. It is already home to premier entertainment venue the O2 Arena and Greenwich Council’s Digital Enterprise Greenwich Centre, next door to the cutting edge digital institution, Ravensbourne. Work is also imminent on London’s first cruise liner terminal on the west side of the Peninsula and the Emirates Airline cable car link, connecting Greenwich Peninsula with the Royal Docks, is due to open this summer.
Last week, the Mayor announced that he intends to deliver a new road tunnel between Greenwich Peninsula and Silvertown in the Royal Docks, which could potentially move 2,400 vehicles an hour in each direction under the river.
Notes to editors
- The Mayor pledged to bring forward the regeneration of Greenwich Peninsula, one of the UK’s largest areas of public sector land with planning consent, when he launched his revised Housing Strategy in December last year. It is an area of huge economic potential with a long-term vision that is rapidly gathering pace.
- Under the coalition government’s Localism Act, the HCA’s London staff, programmes and land interests, including Greenwich Peninsula, will become the responsibility of the GLA from April this year.
- Greenwich Peninsula is being delivered by Greenwich Peninsula Regeneration Limited (GPRL), a joint venture between Lend Lease and Quintain plc, working with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the national housing and regeneration agency and landowner.
- For more information on the development please visit www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk
Delivery of homes on public land
- Collaboration between the Greater London Authority and the HCA has accelerated the release of publicly owned land to create new homes that conform to the Mayor’s design standards, provide jobs and training opportunities and contribute to the regeneration of London boroughs. These sites include:
- Cane Hill hospital site, LB Croydon – Barratt Homes has been chosen as the preferred development partner for the regeneration of Cane Hill, an 83 ha site in Coulsdon. Subject to planning, aspirations for Cane Hill include enhancement of the existing open spaces, provision of retail and business units, potential leisure uses and the delivery of around 650 eco-friendly, mixed-tenure homes.
- Queen Elizabeth hospital site, LB Tower Hamlets – Family Mosaic Home Ownership Ltd is the preferred partner for this 0.63 ha site which has the potential to deliver 180 homes, 53 of which will be affordable, subject to planning. The project was approved by the HCA London Board in December.
- Silvertown Way, LB Newham – The HCA, in collaboration with the London Development Agency (LDA), intends to release a development opportunity to the its Delivery Partner Panel for the regeneration of a 2.1 ha site in Canning Town. The delivery of the site currently owned by the LDA will help strengthen the Council’s vision for Canning Town and Custom House as a key area for regeneration, where new and established residents and business choose to live work and stay.
- Newington Butts, Southwark – The HCA and GLA are jointly about to launch an OJEU competition to select a developer for the Newington site at Elephant & Castle. The scheme includes 470 homes, of which 355 are located within a striking 43-storey tower. The remaining 115 homes are located within a terrace block fronting onto St Mary’s Churchyard park. The development also includes theatre space for Southwark Playhouse, a café and retail/marketing space. Key features are townscape, public realm, affordable housing provision, s106 contributions and improvements to the local environment.