Major public investment in Charlton Riverside should see the creation of 8,000 new homes and 1,000 new jobs over the next 20 years.
Greenwich Council, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL) announced a new partnership on Monday, August 3, dedicated to transforming Charlton Riverside into a place “where thousands of people can live, work and enjoy the river to its full potential”.
Charlton Riverside is located between the Greenwich Peninsula and Woolwich—two places the council said had been “transformed by major investment over the past decade”—and mostly contains industrial yards.
The three public bodies are teaming up to create a shared plan to unlock investment in the area, improve transport links and guide the long-term transformation of the area.
Greenwich Council leader Anthony Okereke said: “Over the last four years we’ve rebuilt momentum around Charlton Riverside and brought together the partners needed to turn long-held ambitions into delivery.
“Today’s agreement marks an important step forward and demonstrates our shared commitment to unlocking one of London’s most significant regeneration opportunities. Charlton Riverside deserves good growth, good jobs and better transport. That won’t happen by accident – it requires leadership.
“That’s why I’m leading an interventionist council, bringing public bodies together, aligning public land and creating the certainty and confidence needed for investment.”
Cllr Okereke also said he believed the public sector “should lead the market, not simply respond to it” which is why proposals were being brought forward to create a public sector-led landowners’ partnership.
Greenwich Council is one of the largest landowners across Charlton Riverside and it hopes by working with the GLA and TfL it can regenerate its own land as well as realise a shared vision for the entire area.
The council has further detailed its vision for Charlton Riverside in its Draft Local Plan which it is currently consulting on. However, no detail about how this major public investment project will be funded has been released.
Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development Tom Copley said: “I am delighted that the long-term vision for Charlton Riverside has moved a step forward today as City Hall joins with partners to help unlock one of London’s biggest regeneration sites.
“The ambition is for this regeneration project to deliver around 8,000 new homes and 1,000 new jobs over the next 20 years, providing our capital with a vibrant new neighbourhood.
“The Mayor and I are proud to work with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, TfL and partners to create an exciting new future for Charlton Riverside as we work to build a fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.”
TfL’s Director of Spatial Planning Lucinda Turner said: “Transport plays a key role in unlocking growth in cities and helping provide access to new facilities, jobs and affordable homes.
“By bringing planning, transport, infrastructure and regeneration together, we’re laying the foundations for a place that’s better connected, better designed and built for the future.”
