One of London's biggest regeneration sites has moved a step closer to becoming a new riverside neighbourhood after the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL) joined forces to unlock the future of Charlton Riverside.
Sitting between Greenwich Peninsula and Woolwich - two places transformed by major investment over the past decade - Charlton Riverside is next in line. Together, the three organisations want to transform one of the capital's largest undeveloped stretches of Thames riverside into a place where thousands of people can live, work and enjoy the river to its full potential.
The new partnership brings together the organisations with the greatest influence over the area's future, creating a shared plan to unlock investment, improve transport links and guide the long-term transformation of the area.
The long-term vision for Charlton Riverside includes around 8,000 new homes and 1,000 new jobs, alongside new schools, community facilities, greener public spaces, better access to the River Thames and continued support for one of London's most important industrial locations, including its growing creative industries.
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said:
"Over the last four years we've rebuilt momentum around Charlton Riverside and brought together the partners needed to turn long-held ambitions into delivery. Today's agreement marks an important step forward and demonstrates our shared commitment to unlocking one of London's most significant regeneration opportunities.
"Charlton Riverside deserves good growth, good jobs and better transport. That won't happen by accident - it requires leadership. That's why I'm leading an interventionist council, bringing public bodies together, aligning public land and creating the certainty and confidence needed for investment.
"I believe the public sector should lead the market, not simply respond to it. That's why today we're taking three important steps to turn that vision into delivery: establishing a Strategic Partnership Board with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the Greater London Authority and Transport for London; signing a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen our shared commitment to Charlton Riverside's long-term regeneration; and bringing forward proposals to create a public sector-led landowners' partnership, putting the public sector firmly in the driving seat for Charlton Riverside's future.
"Together, these actions create the foundations for long-term regeneration that delivers thousands of new homes and jobs while putting local people first through better connections, greater opportunity and investment in their neighbourhood."
Councillor Tom Creswell, Cabinet Member for Planning and Development, said:
“This partnership is about creating a place that people are proud to call home.
“Charlton Riverside gives us the opportunity to create new streets, parks, schools, workplaces and homes alongside better connections to the Thames, while strengthening its role as one of London's key industrial locations and supporting the continued growth of creative industries already practising their craft here.
“The vision has been there for years. Now, the organisations needed to make it happen are working together to move it forward.”
Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, said:
“I am delighted that the long-term vision for Charlton Riverside has moved a step forward today as City Hall joins with partners to help unlock one of London’s biggest regeneration sites.
“The ambition is for this regeneration project to deliver around 8,000 new homes and 1,000 new jobs over the next 20 years, providing our capital with a vibrant new neighbourhood.
“The Mayor and I are proud to work with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, TfL and partners to create an exciting new future for Charlton Riverside as we work to build a fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Lucinda Turner, Director of Spatial Planning at Transport for London (TfL), said:
“Transport plays a key role in unlocking growth in cities and helping provide access to new facilities, jobs and affordable homes. By bringing planning, transport, infrastructure and regeneration together, we're laying the foundations for a place that's better connected, better designed and built for the future.”
Charlton Riverside is already benefiting from improvements to sustainable transport. The area is served by a number of bus routes, including the new Superloop 11 service between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood, while work is also underway to extend Cycleway 4, creating a continuous segregated cycle route between Greenwich and Woolwich.
Today, construction materials continue to arrive at Charlton Riverside by ship before being transported across the capital by rail and road, making it a vital part of the infrastructure that helps keep London building. The ambition is to build on that strength, creating a neighbourhood where industry, homes and public spaces can thrive side by side.
The council, one of the largest landowners across Charlton Riverside, will work with the GLA and TfL to bring together planning, transport and regeneration while progressing plans for its own land. Alongside longer-term regeneration, partners will also explore meanwhile uses to activate sites, build confidence and create a sense of place as investment comes forward across the area.
The partnership builds on several years of work to reshape the future of the area, bringing together public sector partners, landowners, businesses and local communities to turn a long-term vision into reality and deliver London's next great riverside neighbourhood.
FAQs
What has been announced?
The Royal Borough of Greenwich, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreeing to work together to help unlock the long-term regeneration of Charlton Riverside.
The agreement brings together the organisations with the biggest role in shaping the area's future, helping coordinate planning, transport, infrastructure and regeneration.
Why is this important?
Charlton Riverside is one of London's largest regeneration opportunities.
Located between Greenwich Peninsula and Woolwich, it has the potential to become a thriving new riverside neighbourhood with new homes, jobs, schools, community facilities and improved public spaces, while supporting Charlton's important industrial role.
The partnership marks an important step towards turning that long-term ambition into reality.
Does this mean development is about to start?
No. This is not a planning application or planning permission. Instead, it sets out how Royal Greenwich, the GLA and TfL will work together to coordinate the long-term regeneration of Charlton Riverside. Future planning applications will be brought forward in the usual way.
Why have the council, the GLA and TfL signed an agreement?
Delivering a regeneration project of this scale requires close collaboration between organisations responsible for planning, transport, infrastructure and regeneration.
The agreement provides a framework for partners to work together and coordinate future decisions.
What could Charlton Riverside deliver?
The current vision includes the potential for:
- Around 8000 new homes
- Around 1000 new jobs
- New schools
- Community facilities
- New and improved public spaces
- Better walking and cycling routes
- Improved access to the River Thames
- Better public transport connections
- Continued support for Charlton's industrial economy
Further growth of creative industries alongside existing employment uses
Is this replacing industry with housing?
No. A key aim of the regeneration is to create a mixed-use neighbourhood where homes, jobs and industry sit alongside one another.
Charlton Riverside already plays a vital role in London's economy. Construction materials continue to arrive by ship before being transported across the capital by rail and road, helping supply building projects across London.
The ambition is to build on those strengths - not replace them - by protecting and enhancing Charlton's role as an important industrial location. The vision also supports the continued growth of creative industries, recognising Charlton Riverside's existing strengths and creating opportunities for a wider range of businesses to thrive alongside traditional industrial uses.
Why is Charlton Riverside such an important site?
Charlton Riverside sits between Greenwich Peninsula and Woolwich—two areas that have seen significant regeneration over recent years.
The ambition is to complete that stretch of the Thames by creating a well-connected neighbourhood that links the two together.
What role will the council play?
The council is one of the largest landowners in Charlton Riverside and is committed to taking a leading role in bringing forward regeneration.
As one of the first major landowners to progress plans for its land, the council will work closely with neighbouring landowners, the GLA and TfL to help coordinate investment, infrastructure and delivery across the wider area.
The council is also developing plans for meanwhile uses on its land, helping activate sites, reinforce the emerging vision for Charlton Riverside and begin creating new activity while longer-term regeneration proposals are brought forward.
What happens next?
Partners will continue developing a shared vision for Charlton Riverside and work with landowners, stakeholders and local communities as plans progress.
This includes:
developing a long-term delivery strategy
progressing plans for council-owned land
coordinating transport and infrastructure planning
exploring investment opportunities
working collaboratively with neighbouring landowners
developing meanwhile uses to activate sites in advance of development
engaging with landowners, stakeholders and local communities
supporting future planning proposals as they come forward
What is a Memorandum of Understanding?
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is an agreement that sets out how organisations will work together towards a shared objective.
In this case, it establishes how Royal Greenwich, the GLA and TfL will collaborate to support the long-term regeneration of Charlton Riverside.
Will local people have a chance to have their say?
Yes. As plans develop, there will be opportunities for engagement and consultation through the planning process, alongside wider engagement with stakeholders and local communities where appropriate.