Plans for £4bn regeneration of Canada Water submitted

British Land has submitted plans to redevelop 53 acres of land around the Canada Water Underground station in London.

The planning submission also includes a detailed planning application for the project’s first three buildings, which include workspaces, homes and a new leisure centre.

These three buildings are part of a major first phase of the development covering a total of 1.8 million sq ft of mixed-use space, comprising one million sq ft of workspace, 250,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space and 650 homes.

The site includes the Surrey Quays shopping centre, the former Daily Mail printworks and the abandoned Rotherhithe police station.

Their wider masterplan for the site is expected to deliver up to 3,000 new homes, which they say 35% will be ‘affordable.’

Subject to planning approvals, construction of the first buildings will begin in spring 2019.

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: ‘It is fantastic to see this project moving forward. British Land has done great work to consult and engage with local people and the resulting masterplan will deliver what local people want to see, including a guaranteed 35% affordable housing split 70% social rent and 30% shared ownership in the first phase, new retail spaces and job opportunities, education and health facilities and a brand new leisure centre.

‘In addition British Land, in conjunction with the council, has committed to a Social Regeneration Charter which will ensure that the lives of existing local residents will be improved by the project which we believe to be a first for a project such as this.’

Roger Madelin, Head of Canada Water Development, British Land, said: ‘Submission of our planning application for the Canada Water Masterplan marks an important milestone in the delivery of this project.

‘Drawing on our experience of creating vibrant, mixed-use places across the capital, this major urban centre at Canada Water will provide an exciting place to live, work and visit, delivering high quality design, active spaces and significant economic and social benefits for the local community.

‘We have worked closely with Southwark Council and the local community of Canada Water to achieve this important first step, and will continue to work with them to deliver a low carbon, energy efficient neighbourhood. We will put health and wellbeing at the heart of our plans to ensure the buildings and spaces we create encourage and support healthy lives.’

British Land is the second largest property company in the UK and own or manage a portfolio valued at £18.1bn.