New plans submitted for the former Westferry Printworks site

Westferry Developments Limited have today confirmed that a full planning application has been submitted for a new waterfront mixed used scheme on the former Westferry Printworks site which would deliver over 1,500 new homes, shops, restaurants, workspaces, several public open spaces and two new parks. 

The submission to London Borough of Tower Hamlets follows consultation with statutory bodies, key stakeholders, councillors, neighbours and the local community together with a public exhibition which took place in May 2018.

The former Westferry Printworks masterplan first received planning consent for a residential-led mixed use scheme with 722 homes in August 2016 and since then the buildings have been demolished and the site cleared ready for construction.

The new planning application responds to the recent London Plan, in which The Isle of Dogs has been identified as an area that requires substantial investment in the delivery of new and affordable homes. The Mayor of London has called for almost 66,000 new homes to be delivered every year, with Tower Hamlets having a target of over 3,500 per year. The new scheme will not only deliver more homes but also aims to deliver 35% affordable housing, which is three and half times more affordable homes than the previous consent.

The 15-acre site will provide 1,540 new private and affordable homes which will be available to buy or rent. The additional housing has been achieved by increasing the height of the buildings and integrating an additional building, whilst maintaining the principles of the original masterplan to create a vibrant new waterfront neighbourhood and wide range of amenities.

New landscaped and public spaces will provide a significant increase in the amount of open space on the Isle of Dogs for all to enjoy. The design will provide a wide variety of spaces for different uses including parks, gardens, play areas, dockside promenade, outdoor gym, food growing area, play fountains and woodland walk. The new application also seeks to improve both the quality of the housing across all tenures and the quality of the public open spaces.

The new residents and local community will benefit from beautiful open spaces and waterside walks, two new parks and a new south facing dockside waterfront promenade along with an exciting mix of independent restaurants, bars and shops. The delivery of great sporting facilities, a new community centre and crèche, health centre, and a new 1,200 space secondary school will still take place as the original permission provided. This will be a place where people will have space to breathe, just a short walk from the Canary Wharf business district.

Westferry Developments Limited is being assisted with this project by Mace as Development Manager.

Mike Myles, Mace's Development Director, said:

“The submission of a new planning application for Westferry Printworks to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a real statement of intent that aligns itself with both the needs of the local community and the delivery of new and affordable homes for Londoners. We are extremely proud to be part of this flagship scheme that will contribute significantly to the enhancement of this area, whilst fully aligning with the London Plan.”