OMA-designed development would include four towers up to 36-storeys in height
The local MP is objecting to a huge four-tower mixed-use scheme on the Greenwich peninsula because he says it is too tall.
Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich Matthew Pennycook has written to the planning board of the Labour-held local authority formally lining up against U&I鈥檚 拢770m Morden Wharf scheme.
The OMA-designed project on the western side of the peninsula was lodged for planning at Greenwich council in June last year with work expected to start in 2023 if given approval.
It would consist of 1,500 homes and over 17,000sq m of commercial space across 12 buildings, including four towers between 21 and 36 storeys in height.
But Pennycook said that the 鈥渆xcessive鈥� heights of the towers would be 鈥渨holly inappropriate鈥� for the site and would have a 鈥渕arked detrimental impact on the existing character of the area鈥�.
He added that Morden Wharf would impact views of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site from Greenwich Park, despite the executive for the heritage site having decided not to object to the application.
He urged members of the Greenwich planning board to reject the application and encouraged U&I to revise the plans 鈥渋n a way that respects the surrounding context of this important site鈥�.
The proposals include a new boathouse designed by Carmody Groarke which could provide a permanent mooring for the crown鈥檚 royal rowbarge, Gloriana, which was built for the Queen鈥檚 2012 diamond jubilee celebrations.
A new road called Sea Witch Lane, named after a pub which was destroyed by a bomb in the Second World War, would run through the development towards a public square for seasonal events and markets.
Other firms working on the scheme include Chetwoods, which has designed the commercial space, QS Gardiner &Theobald, structural and M&E engineer Ramboll and landscape architect Planit.
U&I said in response to Pennycook鈥檚 letter that the proposals 鈥漢ave been developed in close consultation with the local community and the design of all buildings has been carefully considered to ensure they are in-keeping with the emerging context on the Peninsula.鈥�
The development is set to neighbour the BPTW-designed Enderby Place scheme, which will consist of three towers between 24 and 32 storeys in height.
But the landowner of that scheme, Criterion Capital, has said it is unlikely to build it and will revise the plans because a cruise liner port which would have been included in it has been abandoned.
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