Major 1,667-home project in Silvertown set for green light today

Plans for 1,700 homes in Silvertown will be discussed by Newham Council tonight with approval recommended.

The meeting will decide on housing and commercial space on Knights Road with developer Ballymore behind the project. Seven buildings would range in height from 4 and 22 storeys.

Ballymore were behind nearby Royal Wharf (3,385 homes) and the adjacent Deanston Wharf (778 homes) over the past decade.

This application covers the outline of the entire site with the first detailed phase consisting of 643 dwellings. Allies & Morrison are behind the design.

Last week I was up on the cable car again which offers a great views over the site. A large data centre is also on the rise to the west of Knights Road development site and a post on that will follow.

The level of social housing is 9.2 per cent. Any more is deemed unviable. One reason given is the need to spend money on river wall and flood defence.

West Silvertown station is a short distance to the north west, with Tate and Lyle land to the west alongside a concrete batching plant.

Eventually the DLR’s new trains will finally enter service which will offer a substantial capacity boost along the Woolwich Arsenal branch serving nearby stations.

Newham Council have recently utilised Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy revenue to link Silvertown to Canning Town tube station via dedicated cycle lanes.

Recycled Materials Supplies (RMS) currently occupy part of the site and will relocate to Royal Primrose Wharf later in 2026.

Mixed-use

As part of the proposal more than 5,000 sqm of light industrial space is featured close to heavy industrial uses.

This is what Greenwich Council should be aiming for at various sites just seconds from Woolwich Elizabeth line station. The council’s draft Local Plan ignores reclassifying the land once again.

Rather than acres of land seconds from the Elizabeth lane being designated as solely “industrial”, which in reality is used for car parks and uses such as a gym or car storage for a dealership, those areas of low-rise warehouses could see many existing businesses accommodated in mixed-use sites. By doing so funds could also be raised to provide a second station entrance via residential development.

One recent plan for such warehouse units in Woolwich was a VR golf centre. It’s another example of poor land use near excellent transport links that could be accommodated in a mixed-use development. Keep the businesses, but have them integrated with residential usage.

Heavy industry can be consolidated into areas someway from housing such as vacant plots in Thamesmead around Nathan Way.

Revenue

Section 106 revenue includes £220,000 for the TfL cycle hire scheme and £3.8 million for improved access to the DLR and night bus provision.

Healthcare will see £1,175,000 from S106. Lyle Park will benefit from £1 million in funding.

Limited funds are allocated for active travel given works on a major street improvement project has just completed using S106 and CIL from nearby development.

Total Community Infrastructure Levy revenue is estimated at £26 million.