Plans unveiled for 'artistic village'

12 September 2006

MULTI-MILLION pound plans have been drawn up to turn Deptford Creekside into a vibrant and creative artistic village.

Creekside Village will comprise more than 800 new homes, shops, restaurants, cafes, artist workshops and galleries.

A new theatre and jazz cafe are also set to be built, as well as extra studios for the Laban dance centre in Creekside, the Trinity College of Music in Greenwich and Creative Lewisham.

The much-needed development, on land between Deptford Creek, Creek Road and Creekside will take between two and three years to build.

The application has been submitted by Creekside Ltd and Ampurius Nu Homes, who describe the development as a "vibrant and creative village that will rejuvenate the heart of Deptford Creekside."

The development will include around nine buildings, which will vary between eight and 23 storeys.

A spokesman for the developers told The Docklands: "About 50 per cent of the site is also allocated for public space and amenities and up to 35 per cent of the homes will be affordable housing.

"The applications have been submitted and we are hopeful it will be heard as soon as possible. As the project covers both Greenwich and Lewisham, both councils will have to decide on their applications. Ideally, we would want this to happen by the end of the year."

Pat Conlon, Creekside Ltd chief executive said: "The response from the local community has been

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overwhelmingly positive and the proposals have really caught the imagination of local residents and business."

Local people are due to meet tonight (Tuesday) at the Laban centre to hear more about the plans.

Bill Bryson, resident and chairman of Creekside Forum, told The Docklands: "The proposals for the arts facilities are definitely a good idea and will benefit a lot of people. The current proposal is much more pleasing to the eye than other designs."

But Mr Bryson said potential buyers needed to be aware of the busy commercial port opposite the site.

Brewery Wharf receives regular aggregate (crushed sand, rock and gravel) boat deliveries.

"There will be noise complaints if residents come expecting quiet river views," added Mr Bryson.

The developer's spokesman said an environmental statement had been submitted on how the noise issues would be managed.

He said: "This is a working creek and it will continue to be so - we don't think this will threaten the development."

Tonight's meeting will start at 7.30pm. For more information call Creekside Forum on (020) 8692 5666.

A website, www.thecreeksidevillage.co.uk will soon be launched to keep residents updated.