Objection to Application DC/18/107620, Reserved Matters for Plot 22

Phase one of the planned development at Convoys Wharf currently includes Plot 22. This area accessed by Watergate Street will initially include a marketing suite, temporary site access, public open space with an extension of the Thames Path and Riverbus access.

South east London is very under served by public transport and I welcome plans to bring the Thames Riverbus into my constituency. I await confirmation from Thames Clipper Limited that their existing route will be amended to include Convoys Wharf and I feel CPL should clarify whether an agreement has been reached.

I am further concerned that whilst the public are promised “open space” in Plot 22, it is unclear when this development will be open to the public. Convoys Properties Ltd. (CPL) application states that their marketing suite will be open “by appointment”, suggesting the development is not open to the public at all.

We await details of CPL’s marketing and so I am extremely concerned that the site is being sold off without full transparency. As I stressed in my previous objection, the need for housing in Lewisham Deptford is desperate and all new developments should be available to and attainable for local residents.

Furthermore, Plot 22 going forward from its meanwhile marketing use are for eateries and drinking establishments. I stress once more the need in my constituency for affordable and social housing. It seems frivolous to occupy valuable land for bars and restaurants when there are empty units on Deptford High Street and the surrounds.

The current designs for this plot also do not reflect the surrounding historic, waterfront architecture, such as the Master Shipwright’s House.

This application places an emphasis on consultation undertaken by CPL with local stakeholders and community groups which is blatantly untrue. I am in constant communication with a wide number of community groups and many have reported that CPL show no interest in engaging with them. I have recently had confirmation from Lewisham Council that CPL have failed in their obligation under S106 to maintain a Cultural Steering Group.

Point 5.2 of this application affirms this and namechecks some local community groups. I have since been advised that they were unaware of the plans for Plot 22 until they appeared on the Council Planning Portal.

There is an opportunity here to raise Lewisham Deptford’s profile as a site of historical significance, but that is being ignored in favour of reproducing Canary Wharf. This is not a suitable addition to a waterfront that boasts Royal Greenwich as a major tourist attraction.