As you may be aware, in October the Mayor of London (Boris Johnson) called in the Convoys Wharf planning application submitted by developer Hutchison Whampoa. He was obliged to hold a public hearing before making his final decision and that hearing took place yesterday (March 31st). I attended the meeting at City Hall, along with residents and representatives of various local interest groups.

The Mayor heard evidence from the GLA’s Senior Strategic Planner, Lewisham Council and the developer’s planning agent, as well as seven representatives from the local community who wished to raise objections. Although time was very short, I had the opportunity to speak briefly in support of the Sayes Court Garden and Build The Lenox projects. Years of research and expertise have gone into designing these projects and they provide two fantastic opportunities to honour the unique heritage of Henry VIII’s naval shipyard whilst creating a new destination steeped in the area’s magnificent history.

After considering all contributions the Mayor decided to approve Hutchison Whampoa’s plans, subject to a Section 106 agreement requiring City Hall planners to meet with Lewisham and the developer to come up with a workable scheme for Sayes Court Garden. Mr Johnson also called on the developer to fund a feasibility study into the Build The Lenox project to examine how it might be incorporated into the regeneration scheme and to contribute to the most feasible option.

The Mayor’s decision to support feasibility studies for both projects and the financial contributions that the developer must make are very encouraging. We have not got everything we wanted, but there’s still a long way to go and we will be actively involved in discussing the Section 106 agreement which will determine how much benefit comes to the local community as this vast development gets underway.  

Following my recent adjournment debate on Convoys Wharf I was able to secure a meeting with Culture Minister Ed Vaizey on Thursday 6th February. I was accompanied by representatives from the Sayes Court Garden CIC and the Build the Lenox project. We were able to tell Mr Vaizey about our ambitions for the site and I felt it was a positive meeting. The minister will hopefully be visiting the site soon.

On Friday 7th February I had a further meeting at the Greater London Authority with Sir Edward Lister, GLA officers, Lewisham Council Planning officers, English Heritage, the National Trust, Sayes Court Garden CIC, Build the Lenox and a team of representatives of the developer (Hutchison Whampoa). The developer came forward with proposals for accommodating the Sayes Court and Lenox projects on site, but neither proposal quite meets our aspirations. There will, however, be more talks and our immediate aim is to ensure that the outline consent does not block off our options.

Later today (22nd January 2014) I will challenge the government to recognise the unique heritage features of the site of Henry VIII’s naval shipyard, otherwise known as Convoys Wharf, Deptford, the subject of a multimillion pound planning application.

This development must be led by its heritage. Convoys Wharf, with a foot print equivalent to the Southbank, covers the site of Henry VIII’s naval shipyard established in 1513. Archaeological surveys have revealed extensive slipways, the great basin and dry dock, the remains of the Tudor storehouse and the foundations of the great diarist John Evelyn’s 17th Century manor house.

This site is one of London’s best kept secrets and also one of its greatest opportunities. 

In an adjournment debate today I plan to tell the minister:

‘We want to create a destination that both honours the past and creates a vision of the future that embraces the vibrant and dynamic community that is Deptford’.

I will say:

‘Two locally developed projects would fulfil that ambition and demand incorporation at this stage of the planning process. ‘Sayes Court Gardens’ would create a 21st century garden at the entrance to the development and an Urban Horticulture Centre. ‘Building the Lenox’ would build a replica of the 17th century wooden warship in the grade II listed Olympia building which covers historic slipways.’

Sir Terry Farrell’s master plan for the site puts the Olympia at the heart of the development however the plan, while recognising the projects, fails to place them within their historic context.  Current owners Hutchison Whampoa have asked the GLA to determine their outline planning application. 

In the debate tonight I will be appealing to the heritage minister to back the local vision. Specifically I will ask the Minister to activate an emergency listing/scheduling procedure based on the available archaeology. This would ensure that Hutchison Whampoa and the GLA proceeded with the full knowledge of the heritage protections on the site and how this should influence design and construction decisions. 

Convoys Wharf sits alongside the Greenwich World Heritage site of the Royal Palaces, the National Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark. Hutchison Whampoa have a unique opportunity to create a development with heritage at its heart and for Deptford and its dockyards to once again become a jewel in London’s crown.

ETA: You can read the debate in full here or watch it below (debate starts at 07:20).

Tonight I will be attending a strategic planning meeting at the Civic Suite in Catford to discuss Convoys Wharf, the former News International site. 

Developer Hutchison Whampoa is planning a £1billion redevelopment of the site, including 3500 new homes in three tower blocks. 

As you may be aware, London Mayor Boris Johnson called in the scheme in October and I, along with councillors and other local stakeholders, will be presenting my views to the council before it makes it official report to the GLA.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm.  You can read my speech in full here.

Related press:
Lewisham Councillors Call On Boris Johnson For Deptford Convoys Wharf Changes (News Shopper 17/01/14) 
'Boris Must Alter £1b Wharf Project' (South London Press 21/01/14)

On Monday 16th December I led a delegation to meet with Sir Edward Lister, Boris Johnson’s Chief of Staff and head of Policy and Planning.

We pressed the case for reclaiming Deptford’s significant role in the London riverscape, capitalising on its heritage values and creating a lasting legacy.

Willi Richards from Master Shipwright’s House likened its potential to the building of Shakespeare’s Globe:

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Deptford to capitalise on its impressive heritage assets to create a vibrant contribution to the river and to London life."

The group demonstrated how the whole central area of the site would have public value with a park at its entrance, the listed Olympia shed in the centre and a restored water basin leading to the jetty park.

Roo Angell and Bob Bagley presented their plan for Sayes Court and the John Evelyn Centre:

“This is a project to create a national centre for urban horticulture, delivering education, training, jobs and research set within the new garden promoting active participation in London’s green infrastructure. Changes in society have led to a long-term decline in people’s daily contact with nature in London. Sayes Court is uniquely placed to continue its powerful tradition of finding new solutions to this perennial challenge.”

Julian Kingston presented his plan to build a replica of the 17th Century warship, the Lenox, saying:

“The developers have given the site a body, but no one has got its heart pumping. The Lenox would give it a soul as well as a heart.”

We are offering solutions to the planners that meet local aspirations on these specific issues. There are many local objections to other aspects of the plan that will have to be addressed in due course, but none are compromised by the projects. We believe if these projects are adopted, Convoys Wharf can be and should be a jewel in London’s crown.

Following the decision of Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, to ‘take over’ Hutchison Whampoa’s planning application to develop the Convoy’s Wharf site I have written to the Mayor to request a meeting at the first opportunity.

In the letter I said:

"I understand that you are now to determine the planning application for the above development which is in my constituency. I would like to meet with you at the first opportunity, as I have been involved in all the proposed redevelopments over the decade since the site was closed.

"You will know that Convoys Wharf occupies the site of Henry VIII's naval shipyard and also encompasses the land on which John Evelyn had his manor house and extensive gardens. As such this site ought to be an archaeological and heritage jewel in London’s crown. However it was systematically overlooked until local campaigners demanded more attention was given to it.

"It is extremely disappointing that Hutchison Whampoa has taken this step. 

"We all understand the difficulties that any company will have in seeking to maximise profit while respecting a unique heritage site. We were very hopeful that an understanding with Hutchison Whampoa had been reached with myself and local people on the inclusion of very substantial heritage projects that had already attracted significant support from national heritage and environmental organisations. Furthermore we believe that Lewisham Council has faithfully represented these local aspirations and concerns in their deliberations over the outline planning application.

"Five years of effort by large numbers of people have gone into this scheme and I am extremely anxious that this should not be swept aside.

"I hope you will agree to our meeting soon." 

I will be trying to persuade the Mayor to recognise the immense heritage value of this site both to local people and the people of London. The development needs to reflect Deptford’s extraordinary past while meeting local needs and fitting into the local environment.

On Saturday 20th April I attended the Naval Dockyard Society's conference at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.  

The conference celebrated 500 years of Deptford and Woolwich Royal Dockyards and I was asked to open the proceedings.  

I spoke  about my interest in the restoration and preservation of Deptford's naval history - particularly the Lenox and Sayes Court Garden projects - and my involvement in talks surrounding the redevelopment of Convoys Wharf.

Although I will no longer be the MP for Lewisham Deptford by the time the Convoys Wharf project is completed, I’m intending to stay involved in the process and I very much hope that local residents will as well. 

You can read my speech to the conference in full here.