1 Billion Regeneration Scheme (from News Shopper)

Of the money, £330m over the next three years is expected to attract up to £2 billion in private investment to help develop the stretch of brownfield sites along the River Thames.

Mr Prescott said: “The money I’m allocating will help kick-start the process of turning Europe’s largest collection of brownfield sites into living communities where people are proud to belong.” More than £42 million has been earmarked for Greenwich, Woolwich, Thamesmead and Deptford. The Pepys Estate, in Deptford, is to receive £13.1 million regeneration cash. The big surprise was the announcement of £2.5 million for the refurbishment of Deptford station and associated listed railway arches to provide 40 business spaces and release land for 250 new homes.

There will also be £1 million for improving the road layout along Deptford High Street and Evelyn Street to improve access to Convoys Wharf.

West Thamesmead Business Park, on the site of the White Hart Triangle, will receive £5 million for development. This will bring 250 new jobs in the next three years.

And £2.7 million has been allocated for land reclamation at Tripcock Park, in Thamesmead, to allow for the development of 2,000 new homes.

There is also £800,000 towards homes for key workers on a housing scheme in Felixstowe Road, Abbey Wood.

Housing and Planning Minister Keith Hill said: “Building sustainable communities means ensuring transport links are in place as well as community facilities such as schools, shops and health centres. The Greenwich Millennium Village is a great model for the others to follow in how to provide good quality, eco-friendly affordable housing.” The report states new developments along the Greenwich Peninsula will be supported by Transport for London’s £25 million Greenwich Waterfront Transit scheme opening in 2008, linking North Greenwich, Charlton, Woolwich, Thamesmead and Abbey Wood.

It supports London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s commitment to take forward the Docklands Light Railway extension to Woolwich.

The announcement was made on new estate, Ingress Park, Greenhithe, at the launch of Creating Sustainable Communities: Making it Happen, the first of a series of updates on a plan published last February.

‘Great news’ POLITICAL leaders have welcomed the latest announcements on developing the Thames Gateway.

Erith and Thamesmead MP John Austin says plans to develop the biggest brownfield site in Europe have been in the pipeline for more than 10 years, ever since Michael Heseltine made his famous helicopter ride over the area.

He said: “Now this Government is making it happen. This is great news for Greenwich and follows confirmation the Docklands Light Railway will be up and running to Woolwich by 2008 and the recent decision to take forward the business case for Crossrail.” There was also celebration in Lewisham. Deptford MP Joan Ruddock said: “I am absolutely thrilled by the announcement of the new monies for Deptford.” Councillor Gavin Moore, Lewisham cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is a great opportunity for Deptford. At the moment the station is rundown, transport links in the high street are very poor and opportunities for businesses to start here are very low.

“The money will transform the railway station, hugely improve local transport links and create new homes and new business space.” But Jenny Bates, chairman of Lewisham and Greenwich Friends of the Earth, says it is vital to have good public transport from day one to avoid residents relying on cars.

She added: “We need to learn the lessons from Greenwich Millennium Village.

“The chances of creating a real community there were spoiled by allowing a giant out-of-town Sainsbury’s supermarket with massive car park rather than local shops which create a sustainable community.”

9:04am Tuesday 5th August 2003

More Stories By This Author

Also by this author ...