Lane Castle Wins Planning Permission for Deptford Mixed-Use Scheme
Mixed-use developer seeks new opportunities in London and South East
30th January 2007
Lane Castle, the urban mixed-use developer set up by William Avery and Mark O'Grady, has won planning permission for its first major regeneration scheme, known as Paynes and Borthwick Wharves on the River Thames in West Greenwich, South East London.
Overall, the development will total some 32,500 sq m (350,000 sq ft) within the site area, which includes listed sections of Paynes Wharf with its dramatic Italienette arches, where the north, south and west exterior walls will be retained and incorporated into the new design. Within this, 247 residential units will be created, together with 10 live/work units. In addition, around 3,500 sq m (38,000 sq ft) of new commercial space is to be created at the lower levels, incorporating restaurant/café space, a magnificent gallery/cultural venue, and office/design studios. Designed by Assael Architects, the development will open up the riverfront to the public, reinstating the historic route of Middle Watergate – a route that has been closed off for around 150 years.
P&B Developments, the subsidiary company through which Lane Castle is running the Paynes and Borthwick Wharves scheme, has confirmed that demolition of the existing Borthwick Wharf building is already under way and is due for completion shortly. Construction of the new development is scheduled to start in early Spring 2007, with completion by Spring 2009.
Speaking about the planning consent, Mark O'Grady of Lane Castle said,
“We are delighted – after many months of hard work and consultation – to have won permission to put our development proposals into action. For us, Paynes and Borthwick Wharves represents exactly the type of development opportunity we are looking for: unusual, interesting properties with an angle that allows us to create something unique for the local community – not just another residential development.
"In the case of Paynes and Borthwick Wharves, the angle is gallery space we will be providing, and the positive links we have already made with local artists and members of Deptford's cultural community to create a destination which genuinely reflects Deptford's unique creative character."
Lane Castle intends the scheme to be the first of a series such community-orientated regeneration schemes. The company is already talking to a number of potential vendors about similar opportunities around London and the South East.
The project team for Paynes & Borthwick Wharves includes Twigg Brown (project architects), King Sturge (agents), Barton Willmore (planning consultants), Hother Associates (quantity surveyors), Walsh Group (structural engineers) and GKSA (M&E consultants).