Plans for the UK’s largest floating village in Newham’s Royal Docks announced

Plans for he UK’s largest ‘floating village’ have been revealed for Newham's Royal Docks featuring homes, hotels, restaurants and bars.

Else Kvist, Reporter Tuesday, March 12, 2013
10:00 AM

Plans for the UK’s largest ‘floating village’ featuring homes, hotels, offices, shops, bars and restaurants on the River Thames have been unveiled.

Sitting directly under the Emirates Airline cable car, linking the ExCeL exhibition centre with Greenwich, the 15 acre site in the Royal Docks will be part of a drive to bring jobs, commercial space and homes back to London’s waterways.

London Mayor Boris Johnson announced the plans today as an international competition to find developers to design and develop the scheme was launched at MIPIM, the world’s premier property conference in France.

Mr Johnson said: “This site is unique. It has the potential to become one of the most sought after addresses in the capital while breathing new life back into London’s waterways.”

The floating village will be one and half times the size of Green Park and have some of the best transport links in the capital with a new Crossrail station, DLR and the cable car linking it to central London and Canary Wharf.

The plans were welcomed by Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales who said: “London is moving eastwards and the Royal Docks offer an investment opportunity in scale unmatched anywhere in Europe.

“The Royal Docks were designated the capital’s first new Enterprise Zone, in recognition of the importance of the area to the future of London’s economy. They have the capacity to attract modern sustainable businesses and deliver 21st century growth for the capital. It is essential that the transformation of the area translates into long-term prosperity, growth and jobs.

“They will become a vibrant, exciting and fun visitor attraction which will draw people not just from across the capital - but across the country. “This venture will provide a major boost for the local economy and further cement the area’s reputation as one of the capital’s must-visit places.”

Floating developments are already a popular idea on the continent with successful schemes at ljbury near Amsterdam, Hafen City in Hamburg and throughout Scandinavia.