You may be aware of plans for a large development up at Convoys Wharf in the north of Lewisham.
Until recently, Lewisham Council had been dealing with the planning application. Labour had been pushing to get the most for local people, particularly in terms of affordable housing and community facilities. But in October, under pressure from the developers, the Mayor of London called in the development.
Dame Joan Ruddock MP is continuing to push Boris Johnson for the best deal for local people. You can find out more about her campaigning here. We want to increase the provision of affordable housing. The area has immense historical significance and we support schemes such as 'Build the Lennox' that will commemorate this and bring jobs, apprenticeships and leisure opportunities.
The Mayor's consultation is ongoing. Joan Ruddock's consultation can be seen below. If you want to have your say, come and join us at the public hearing at City Hall on 31st March. More details here.
Convoys Wharf Consultation
Response from Rt Hon Dame Joan Ruddock MP
Convoys Wharf should become a destination that both honours the past and creates a vision of the future that embraces the vibrant and dynamic community that is Deptford. Two projects would fulfil that ambition and demand incorporation at this stage of the planning process. I am pleased that planning officers have engaged with the Sayes Court Garden and Lenox projects. Both the developers and the project leaders have been willing to negotiate, however I am concerned that we may ‘fall at the final hurdle’ in securing for these projects the support and space they need to reflect the historic significance of the area and its potential to offer more than riverfront housing.
Revisions Point 1
The Sayes Court Garden project developed by Roo Angell and Bob Bagley and their architect David Kohn seeks to create a new garden and centre for Urban Horticulture. In their own words “The remarkable history of Sayes court is filled with bold ideas which understood that contact with nature is an essential part of healthy urban life. Sayes Court Garden is a project inspired by this history of innovation. Combining stimulating design with a programme which brings together all stages of education, from primary schools and practical training to the latest research, Sayes Court is a garden for the 21st century.”
The archaeology dating to John Evelyn’s tenure has been added to over time, making its setting crucial to how its significance is read and understood, and is used to inform and inspire.
The developer’s proposal to expose the archaeology of the Manor House and to incorporate the primary school from plot 17 into plot 16 is welcome. However the proposal to 'capture' the Sayes Court Project within that large block bears no relationship to its historic setting and orientation. This design would divorce the archaeology from the open space which gives it meaning.
In order to succeed, this project needs, at this stage, a minor revision to minimum parameters of the block over Sayes Court which would give the opportunity to improve the setting of the archaeology, and provide the critical mass which would enable the project to deliver a vigorous future. This would make such a future possible, without detriment to either the developer’s aims or the timescale for determination of outline planning consent.
Revisions Points 2 and 3.
These are positive and welcome.
Revisions Point 4
While welcome this revision does not meet the aspirations or need of local people for much more social housing, giving the thousands on the council waiting list and the hundreds of homeless families in Lewisham. A further revision is required to produce more accommodation at social rents.
Additional Variation Being Sought to Revised Application
The second project led by Julian Kingston proposes to build a replica of the great 17th century wooden war ship, the Lenox.
The Lenox would be built using modern techniques and would enable apprentices to be trained in modern transferable skills. The project also intends to encompass research and training in heritage crafts. It has a unique potential to create a tangible link to Deptford’s history.
The applicant has proposed limited-term accommodation for the ship on the protected wharf. Critical factors to enable the project to thrive are proximity to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, easy access for visitors, a future legacy for the site that perpetuates its heritage, and a permanent home for the ship and the dockyard museum.
The project team propose building the replica ship on the site of one of the two ancient slipways in the listed Olympia building. Opening the basin in front of the Olympia would re-establish the historic link to the Thames. I believe such a configuration would provide a real magnet for visitors to a redeveloped Convoys Wharf.
An independent feasibility study is needed to establish the most viable location for the project, giving appropriate weight to its significant contribution to the heritage of the site and acknowledging the importance of creating the best conditions for its success. With appropriate planning conditions and a commitment to the project from the applicant, this could be achieved without significantly impacting the existing masterplan.
In light on the unique heritage of Convoys Wharf, I believe the Mayor must give full consideration to the two project-based further variations proposed above.
Rt Hon Dame Joan Ruddock MP
Until recently, Lewisham Council had been dealing with the planning application. Labour had been pushing to get the most for local people, particularly in terms of affordable housing and community facilities. But in October, under pressure from the developers, the Mayor of London called in the development.
Dame Joan Ruddock MP is continuing to push Boris Johnson for the best deal for local people. You can find out more about her campaigning here. We want to increase the provision of affordable housing. The area has immense historical significance and we support schemes such as 'Build the Lennox' that will commemorate this and bring jobs, apprenticeships and leisure opportunities.
The Mayor's consultation is ongoing. Joan Ruddock's consultation can be seen below. If you want to have your say, come and join us at the public hearing at City Hall on 31st March. More details here.
Convoys Wharf Consultation
Response from Rt Hon Dame Joan Ruddock MP
Convoys Wharf should become a destination that both honours the past and creates a vision of the future that embraces the vibrant and dynamic community that is Deptford. Two projects would fulfil that ambition and demand incorporation at this stage of the planning process. I am pleased that planning officers have engaged with the Sayes Court Garden and Lenox projects. Both the developers and the project leaders have been willing to negotiate, however I am concerned that we may ‘fall at the final hurdle’ in securing for these projects the support and space they need to reflect the historic significance of the area and its potential to offer more than riverfront housing.
Revisions Point 1
The Sayes Court Garden project developed by Roo Angell and Bob Bagley and their architect David Kohn seeks to create a new garden and centre for Urban Horticulture. In their own words “The remarkable history of Sayes court is filled with bold ideas which understood that contact with nature is an essential part of healthy urban life. Sayes Court Garden is a project inspired by this history of innovation. Combining stimulating design with a programme which brings together all stages of education, from primary schools and practical training to the latest research, Sayes Court is a garden for the 21st century.”
The archaeology dating to John Evelyn’s tenure has been added to over time, making its setting crucial to how its significance is read and understood, and is used to inform and inspire.
The developer’s proposal to expose the archaeology of the Manor House and to incorporate the primary school from plot 17 into plot 16 is welcome. However the proposal to 'capture' the Sayes Court Project within that large block bears no relationship to its historic setting and orientation. This design would divorce the archaeology from the open space which gives it meaning.
In order to succeed, this project needs, at this stage, a minor revision to minimum parameters of the block over Sayes Court which would give the opportunity to improve the setting of the archaeology, and provide the critical mass which would enable the project to deliver a vigorous future. This would make such a future possible, without detriment to either the developer’s aims or the timescale for determination of outline planning consent.
Revisions Points 2 and 3.
These are positive and welcome.
Revisions Point 4
While welcome this revision does not meet the aspirations or need of local people for much more social housing, giving the thousands on the council waiting list and the hundreds of homeless families in Lewisham. A further revision is required to produce more accommodation at social rents.
Additional Variation Being Sought to Revised Application
The second project led by Julian Kingston proposes to build a replica of the great 17th century wooden war ship, the Lenox.
The Lenox would be built using modern techniques and would enable apprentices to be trained in modern transferable skills. The project also intends to encompass research and training in heritage crafts. It has a unique potential to create a tangible link to Deptford’s history.
The applicant has proposed limited-term accommodation for the ship on the protected wharf. Critical factors to enable the project to thrive are proximity to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, easy access for visitors, a future legacy for the site that perpetuates its heritage, and a permanent home for the ship and the dockyard museum.
The project team propose building the replica ship on the site of one of the two ancient slipways in the listed Olympia building. Opening the basin in front of the Olympia would re-establish the historic link to the Thames. I believe such a configuration would provide a real magnet for visitors to a redeveloped Convoys Wharf.
An independent feasibility study is needed to establish the most viable location for the project, giving appropriate weight to its significant contribution to the heritage of the site and acknowledging the importance of creating the best conditions for its success. With appropriate planning conditions and a commitment to the project from the applicant, this could be achieved without significantly impacting the existing masterplan.
In light on the unique heritage of Convoys Wharf, I believe the Mayor must give full consideration to the two project-based further variations proposed above.
Rt Hon Dame Joan Ruddock MP