Convoys Wharf

At Convoys Wharf in Deptford, there is a major opportunity to regenerate part of the Borough to provide new jobs, homes and a better environment.

The Council is working with developers to ensure that any development includes affordable housing, good transport links and local services.

Convoys Wharf outline planning application

Convoys Wharf is News International’s former paper importing site in Deptford.

In 2002 News International submitted an outline planning application for redevelopment of the site. It features some 450,000m² of floorspace with around 3500 new homes (1,200 of which are affordable), 73000m² of employment space plus major new cultural and creative facilities.

The proposals also retain a working wharf to serve a waste recycling and remanufacturing facility on the site.

Benefits and consequences of the project

The proposed development would open up a major part of Lewisham's river to the public and provide a direct connection between Deptford High Street and the Thames.

It would make a major contribution to meeting Deptford's need for new homes, employment opportunities and community facilities, as well as providing a major new destination on the riverfront.

It will, however, put extra demands on existing services such as roads, public transport, community, education and health facilities.

We have worked closely with the relevant agencies and local groups to identify these consequences. Measures to mitigate them have been identified and agreed between us and News International.

Planning permission

The Council’s Strategic Planning Committee, at its meeting on 26 May 2005, resolved to grant planning permission subject to conditions and signing a section 106 agreement.

The application needs to be referred to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for consideration by the Mayor of London.

A lengthy series of meetings have been held between officers of the Council and GLA regarding outstanding matters identified by the GLA in respect of affordable housing, the safeguarded wharf and transport matters over the past two years.

Those discussions are continuing, particularly in respect of the approach to the safeguarded wharf. The GLA has asked for further information to be submitted to make the case for the reduction of the wharf area.

Once formally notified the Mayor has 14 days to respond and, on the basis that he will not direct refusal, the application would then be referred to the Government Office for London (GoL).

GoL have the power to call-in the application and require a Public Inquiry be held to consider the application. Assuming the application is not called-in the Council would then grant outline planning permission for the development.

Community benefits

The overall package of proposed community benefits could be around £118million plus a contribution from the developer of around £50million towards site preparation, infrastructure, parking and other costs involved in providing affordable housing on the site.