One of south east London’s largest new new development has been brewing for some time in Rotherhithe near Surrey Quays and Canada Water stations.

This project sees the 1980s shopping centre demolished. Surrey Quays Shopping Centre was built in 1988 and includes a then-typical out-of-town shopping centre within a large area of surface car parking.

In 2018 detailed plans were submitted for the first stage with regular amendments since, with an ultimate plan for 3,000 new homes and 20,000 jobsthough “redevelopment of the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, former Harmsworth Quays Printworks and Surrey Quays Leisure Park, part of the Canada Water Dock, the former Rotherhithe Police Station, former Dock Offices Courtyard and land at Roberts Close.”

The planning application currently live only has detailed plans for three plots. Plot A1 has 186 residential units in a 6 and 34 storey building (though that could be cut back).

The tower does appear the weakest element of the entire scheme in terms of design. It has attracted opposition from some quarters due to height, but even ignoring that for a second it’s a dull, lumpen box from some angles.









Plot A2 provides a leisure centre, retail and workspace. Plot K1 would provide 79 residential units, an interim petrol station.

The police station was mostly closed in 2013 with final vacancy happening in 2018.

British Land (who recently purchased a large plot in Woolwich) aim to “provide 35% “affordable” housing by habitable room”

Greenwich Council have been asked for their opinion. This scheme lies two stops further along from North Greenwich station and will have a sizable impact on commuters. Plans for new homes in Greenwich continue to rise. Knight Dragon last month revealed they are looking at adding over 1,000 more homes to the near-16,000 target.

The site is near Rotherhithe Tunnel, and if Silvertown Tunnel proceeds and is tolled alongside the adjacent Blackwall Tunnel more traffic can be expected to head from east Greenwich heading west to Rotherhithe passing this site – which will bring additional vehicle movements.

The 1,132 home Timberyard development is currently under construction and the 3,500 home Convoys Wharf finally appears to be moving forward.

Transport

Developers behind the Surrey Quays shopping centre are British Land, and they’re looking at a “potential new station entrance to Surrey Quays Overground Station” though that goes nowhere near addressing issues of capacity on both the London Overground and Jubilee Line.

Plans for new Jubilee Line trains were scrapped in late 2017 with TfL blaming reducing passenger numbers. Since then growth has rebounded strongly.









A plan for a pedestrian and cycling bridge was scrapped last month with tentative plans for a ferry – though there is no word on frequencies, running times nor whether it will be free.

A large number of other schemes are underway in the vicinity:

Mulberry Business Park (Kings College London) – The creation of 770

new student beds along with 33 affordable homes and approximately

4,500 sq m of new office floorspace. Decathlon (Notting Hill Housing Association and Sellar) – Construction

has begun on the first phase of this mixed-use scheme comprising up to

1,030 residential units, retail, office, community and leisure uses as well

as a new Decathlon store. The scheme includes a 150m (40 storey)

tower.











Quebec Quarter (London and Quadrant) – Construction is ongoing on a

scheme for 366 residential units, retail, community and leisure uses on

Quebec Way.

scheme for 366 residential units, retail, community and leisure uses on Quebec Way. 24-28 Quebec Way (London Square) – Construction is ongoing on a

scheme for 94 residential units and flexible commercial space on Quebec

Way.

scheme for 94 residential units and flexible commercial space on Quebec Way. Albion Primary School – permission granted for a six-storey building to

provide 50 residential units.

Southwark Council will receive these sums from this scheme alone:

Estimated council tax contributions of £3.6 million per year

Estimated business rates payments amounting to £62.8 million per

year

year New Homes Bonus funding of £18.6 million (over a four-year period)

CIL payments to the Mayor of London and Southwark Council are

estimated at £90m subject to the ultimate mix of land uses coming

forward.

To see the hundreds of documents related to this scheme click here.