Wood Wharf's record "gift"

Developers are prepared to offer the largest Section 106 contribution in UK history to offset the impact of one of Europe’s most ambitious building projects.

The £118million for transport includes a £100million donation towards the £16billion Crossrail London rail link, £9million on DLR improvements and more than £5million on bus services.

More than £10million will also be ploughed into employment and training, while £4million will be spent on nearby schools.

Section 106 refers to a clause in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which allows for the imposition of community obligations on developers.

Wood Wharf is unlikely to be completed until at least 2019, but outline plans for the 14-building scheme are due to be considered by Tower Hamlets councillors on Thursday.

Situated on the waterfront to the east of the Canary Wharf estate, the project would add 1,668 new homes and up to 25,000 permanent jobs to the area.

Around 5,000 jobs will be taken by local people, and 483 affordable homes will be available. Its largest building will be a residential tower rising to 206 metres, around 40 metres less than the current UK record holder One Canada Square.

Also featured on the site will be a six-building cluster of around 460,000sq m of commercial floor space, as well as a five-star 340-room hotel, a new high street and 19,886sq m of cafes, bars, shops and restaurants.
An NHS health centre will be incorporated into the scheme, as will an Idea Store, a creche and a 9,767 square metre community park.

Tower Hamlets Council agreed a masterplan for Wood Wharf back in 2003.

Canary Wharf Group, British Waterways and Ballymore joined forces to form a development team called the Wood Wharf Partnership in 2005, and signed up architects Rogers, Stirk, Harbour and Partners to draw up a extensive plans for the area.

During a period of consultation, more than 5,000 people visited exhibitions of the plans in Canary Wharf and on the Isle of Dogs last winter.

Officers have advised the committee to grant permission for the development.

A 140-page report submitted to the strategic development committee claimed that Wood Wharf would “strengthen London’s role as a world city� and “provide significant employment and training opportunities�.