2012 aim for world's biggest yacht

The seven-deck ship will measure 15 metres longer than the Barclays tower at One Churchill Place is high, and will feature 180 cabins, a fine dining area, a gym, bars and business facilities, as well as jobs for 200 on-board staff.

It would even outstretch Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s 147-metre Eclipse megayacht, which will reportedly feature pirate-thwarting missile detectors and an on-board submarine.

As revealed in The Wharf in July, Aquiva are keen to capitalise on the capital's Olympic buzz by pushing ahead with the ambitious project, which was first mooted three years ago.

A positive response from the planning committee could pave the way for Aquiva’s superyacht to be permanently docked outside the Thames Quay building by 2012.

Project manager Richard Hawkes of consultants CPC believes there is still a market for the yacht among corporate clients, despite the current financial turmoil affecting Wharf businesses.

He said: “The aim is to be operating before the Olympics. The current problems are a short-term issue and this is a long-term plan.
“This boat will hopefully be there for 50 years.�

The Greater London Assembly raised concerns over flood risk and impact on local transport in a report in August, but largely praised the plan for “improving the quality, variety and distribution of visitor accommodation and facilities in London�.

But many in nearby Meridian Place are concerned the boat will ruin views from their development, and that it offers little to the community.

Resident Richard Wheal said: “It’s an infringement on the local area about the size of a football pitch and restricts the view across the dock.
“It doesn’t offer anything to the community whatsoever, but it may well be a forgone conclusion that it is approved.�