Plans have been submitted to develop up to 3,000 new homes in south-east London.

The multi-billion pound Canada Water development will see thousands of new homes built across a 53-acre site, as well as two million sq ft of workspace and one million sq ft of retail, leisure, entertainment and community space, including proposed health and social infrastructure.

Developer British Land has now entered into a Master Development Agreement with Southwark Council and submitted an outline planning application for the 'Masterplan', which follows four years of extensive consultation with the local community and council.

Alongside the overall 'Masterplan', the planning submission also includes a detailed planning application for the project's first three buildings, which include workspace, homes (of which 35% will be affordable) and a new leisure centre.

On completion, the development will create approximately 20,000 jobs with thousands of people working on site during construction, including apprenticeships and training.


Roger Madelin, Head of Canada Water Development, British Land, said: "Submission of our planning application for the Canada Water Masterplan marks an important milestone in the delivery of this project.

"Drawing on our experience of creating vibrant, mixed-use places across the capital, this major urban centre at Canada Water will provide an exciting place to live, work and visit, delivering high quality design, active spaces and significant economic and social benefits for the local community.

"We have worked closely with Southwark Council and the local community of Canada Water to achieve this important first step, and will continue to work with them to deliver a low carbon, energy efficient neighbourhood. We will put health and wellbeing at the heart of our plans to ensure the buildings and spaces we create encourage and support healthy lives."

Southwark Council Leader Peter John said: "It is fantastic to see this project moving forward. British Land have done great work to consult and engage with local people and the resulting Masterplan will deliver what local people want to see, including a guaranteed 35% affordable housing split 70% social rent and 30% shared ownership in the first phase, new retail spaces and job opportunities, education and health facilities and a brand new leisure centre.

"In addition British Land, in conjunction with the council, has committed to a Social Regeneration Charter which will ensure that the lives of existing local residents will be improved by the project which we believe to be a first for a project such as this.

"People will be able to see the proposals and make further comments through the planning procedure, so there is still time to get involved and help create the future of Canada Water."

A decision on the planning application is expected by the end of the year.

(LM)