Canning town developers to be chosen "by the end of the year"

By John Hill on March 13, 2008 9:00 AM |

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A NEW developer for the £2.7billion Canning Town and Custom House regeneration project could be in place by the end of the year.

The government's Thames Gateway team are interviewing five consortiums clamouring for the vacant spaces on the East London building project, which could bring 11,000 new homes to the deprived area.

The ambitious three-phase project is scheduled to begin this year, with a 2022 completion date. The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation claims the scheme is still on track, despite the withdrawal of developers Lend Lease and housebuilder Taylor Wimpey in January.

Corporation chief executive Peter Andrews said: "It hasn't affected the schedule. We now have a very strong batch of developers, including some members of the original consortia.
"We're hoping to be able to get developers for the area by the end of the year, and make a formal announcement next year."

Mr Andrews spoke to The Wharf after showcasing the scheme to Docklands Business Club members at the University of East London's Knowledge Dock centre last Wednesday (March 5). The morning briefing included a presentation by Erick Van Egeraat Associated Architects on its ideas for the facelift.

The new town centre features two distinct regions. One is a southern "activity street" with offices and shops, while the other is a northern "residential spine" with new homes. Public squares will be positioned on either side of the A13, connected by a series of bridges and cycle routes.

The Canning Town project is one of several projects planned for the Thames Gateway, which extends over a 40-mile stretch from Canary Wharf to Southend and Sittingbourne. An estimated 225,000 new jobs could be provided in the region by 2016.

Chief executive Mr Andrews said: "Canning Town and Custom House is an area suffering from high deprivation, low employment levels, low educational attainment and poor health.
"It's a priority for ourselves and the government to regenerate this area and re-develop it, creating a proper, mixed community with a wider socio-economic profile."