Greenwich Peninsula reimagines 150-acres of former industrial land. Now home to thousands of residents, a community of creatives working in the unique Design District and with more than 3 million visitors a year, Knight Dragon’s revised masterplan created in 2022 will fast-track development of more affordable housing. More than 17,000 new homes, 12,000 new jobs and 48 acres of open public space will be created over the coming years.

 

 

Who is on the project team? 

 

SOM

Allies and Morrison

C.F. Moeller

Jestico and Whiles

Pillbrow & Partners

Marks Barfield Architects

CJCT

Gross Max

DSDHA

6A Architects

Adam Khan Architects

Architecture 00

HNNA

Barozzi / Veiga

David Kohn

Mole Architects

Schulze+Grassov

SelgasCano

 

Describe the context of this project and the point it has reached in its development. When is the project expected to complete? 

 

Greenwich Peninsula is an emerging urban community with design and creativity embedded in its fabric. 150-acres of former industrial land in Zone 2, previously known only as the home of the O2, Greenwich Peninsula is now home to thousands of residents, a community of creatives working in the unique Design District and attracts more than 3 million visitors a year. More than 17k new homes, 12k new jobs and 48 acres of open public space will be created over the coming years, with ambitious developers Knight Dragon investing £8.4 billion over a 30-year period to transform this previously disused pocket of land into a thriving waterside district and new cultural centrepiece for London. 

 

Three of seven distinct neighbourhoods are already complete, and progress continues at pace to bring this new piece of London to life, with culture and creativity at its heart. Greenwich Peninsula is surrounded by 1.6m of riverfront, is easily accessible by cable car, boat, bus and tube via the Jubilee Line, and has plenty of walking and cycling routes to encourage sustainable transport and wellness. Other amenities planned for the place include:

 

- Two new schools in addition to the school built in 2018

 

- A 8,000sq m theatre

 

- A health and wellness hub 

 

- Improved bus and tube station access

 

- A hotel

 

- A diverse selection of F&B

 

- Increased outdoor open space

 

How are you seeking to foster community, welcome visitors and attract tenants? How are you responding to changing demographics, behaviour, market context, policy, transport habits and the climate crisis since winning planning? 

 

The original 2015 masterplan was revised in 2019 and approved in 2022, enabling Knight Dragon to fast-track development of more affordable housing for London. The revised masterplan also includes:

 

- Creation of a £1.9m fund with RBG to provide training, courses, support and initiatives for local people and especially youth groups, to access jobs, sports programmes and cultural facilities 

 

- Providing social infrastructure sooner than previously planned, including an additional 2 form entry primary school in the early phases of development and creating amenities for the local community

 

- An enhanced transport system to service increased passenger numbers 

 

Greenwich Peninsula is a place with culture and creativity at its heart, with a diverse cultural event programme celebrating the best emerging talent from across London and beyond. Attractions and events include the Urban Village Fete, Turning Tides festival, Supper Clubs at Bureau, the Greenwich Peninsula weekly market, NOW Gallery, the Tide elevated walkway and the Golf Driving Range.

 

Design District, London’s first permanent, purpose-built home for the creative industries, offers high-quality workspace, in a safe and accessible environment at an affordable price point, alongside amenities including a rooftop basketball court. It offers a space like no other in the capital. Already home to individual makers, ambitious start-ups, ground-breaking enterprises and industry leaders, it has fast become a beacon for creatives, with tenants ranging from Ravensbourne University to Queercircle, an LGBTQ+ led non-profit and social action charity, and footwear designer, Concept Kicks.

 

What is your sustainability strategy and how are you mitigating carbon use and construction pollution? 

 

Knight Dragon’s vision is to create a low to zero carbon, creative and resource-efficient community that is prosperous and resilient, built on inclusivity and positive climate impact.

 

We are committed to reducing the environment impact of all its operations with new buildings, the existing assets and at corporate level. In addition, KD is committed to collaborate with the supply chain to maximise the social value of all its investments. 

 

To mitigate the carbon use and construction pollution we are:

 

• Implementing a Net Zero Carbon strategy that will allow us our operational carbon emissions to be zero by 2030 

 

• Implementing a phased District Heating Network decarbonisation plan using sleeving techniques and by connecting to Borough wide waste heat network. 

 

• Conducting a whole Life Carbon Assessment analysis and Circular Economy review. We are targeting a 40% embodied carbon reduction compared with current standard practice and we are also aiming to exceed 50% emissions reductions over Building Regulations: Part L 2013 (Minimum B EPC rating). 

 

• Targeting a biodiversity net gain of 10% and achieving CEEQUAL Excellent.

 

• Appraising and setting LETI targets and Passivhauss options on a project-by-project basis.

 

In line with these commitments, we will measure and annually report against our Environmental, Social and Governance strategy (attached). We are guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and innovation within the sector. We have set science-based sustainability targets whilst responding to the local needs of our communities.

 

Describe the social impact of the project: How is this place contributing to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of its citizens? 

 

In line with the Social Value Act (2012), we will make conscious effort to ensure that the effects of all are activities can be seen as adding social value by contributing to the long-term wellbeing and resilience of individuals, communities and society in general.

 

Our Community Vision document sets out aspirational social, economic and environmental KPIs and targets to:

 

• Build a resilient community 

 

• Develop an environmentally sustainable community 

 

• Enable innovation 

 

• Create a well-connected community

 

As Greenwich Peninsula evolves, we will invest in the community to create positive social, economic and environmental outcomes. Our strategy involves working closely with our contractors, suppliers, local businesses, residents, community groups and visitors. 

 

We have set some ambitious target including:

 

• Creation of 13,000 jobs opportunities 

 

• 1 apprentice per every £10million of contract for supply chain 

 

• £1.9million to support the delivery of projects and activities that aim to develop Greenwich Peninsula as a thriving, active and sustainable community.

 

• Development of a Community Charter for Greenwich Peninsula.

 

We measure the social value created by the Greenwich Peninsula development through the Social Value Portal and over the last 3 years we have captured the social value of over £25million. 

 

In 2021, we won the National Social Value Award for Thrive, our bespoke health and wellbeing programme consisting of 150+ activities a year that is free for anyone who lives, works or studies on the Peninsula.