Lewisham Borough Council has given the thumbs up to the first major residential block of 456 flats in the Farrells-designed scheme on the Royal Docks in Deptford.

It is the first of 22 plots within developer Hutchison Property Group’s large-scale consented masterplan to develop the former site of Henry VIII’s royal dockyard, established in 1513.

The redevelopment of Convoys Wharf will sustain 1,200 construction jobs as the formerly inaccessible site is transformed into a new waterfront district.

Planned park to be built on existing pontoons in the Thames

Plans include building a 1.5 acre park on an existing pontoon on the River Thames, cultural and commercial space, along with 3,500 homes including three ‘landmark’ towers up to 40 storeys tall.

Riverside view of planned high-rise towers at Convoys Wharf

It will include three acres of new public parks, a new school, space for cultural usage, a range of shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as link to and enhance the existing High Street in Deptford and the historic town centre.

Mike Stowell at Farrells said: “The regeneration of this former brownfield site creates a fantastic new opportunity for Deptford releasing to the local community new public realm, cultural, commercial and education opportunities and new greenspace.

“There is the additional important benefit of releasing 500m of the borough’s riverfront to the public for the first time in 500 years. We are looking forward to developing the first phase of this long-awaited scheme and working with the local community on the next phases”

Plan of the Royal Docks site in Deptford