November 2022
Regal London, a leading property developer in the UK capital, is seeking to develop a former wharf site on the River Thames for combined residential and port use. The company turned to Independent Port Consultants (IPC) to provide an independent opinion on potential logistics and marine operational options that had been identified for the new development, located at Orchard Wharf in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The site is designated a safeguarded wharf by the Greater London Authority (GLA), with potential re-activation for port use to be considered. IPC’s report was delivered to Regal London and concluded that a flexible range of waterborne operational options were possible.
Working closely with marine consultants Nash Maritime, logistics consultants Vectos, architects Aukett Swanke and in consultation with the Port of London Authority (PLA), IPC was able to draw on its expertise in port design and terminal operations to review the options and recommend the best operational alternatives. This contributes towards the overall hybrid planning application process that Regal London has to undergo before it can green light the development of Orchard Wharf to its full potential.
Regal London’s Hybrid Planning Application is seeking detailed planning permission for the demolition of all existing buildings at Orchard Wharf and enabling works to provide a mixed-use development involving the construction of five buildings between 15 and 30 storeys above a raised safeguarded wharf facility and one stand-alone 20 storey building. Orchard Wharf is one of a network of 50 safeguarded wharves throughout the UK capital which are protected for the purposes of waterborne freight transport as set out in the London Plan[1]. Property developers wishing to develop safeguarded wharves have to provide credible plans for the rehabilitation or retention of viable waterborne transport operations within their planning applications.
“IPC stepped in at a crucial point in our discussions with the PLA and provided credible options for the alternative potential operational uses of the wharf facility in our plans. Their support has been invaluable in resolving the way forward for the development, while achieving PLA’s objectives” says Steve Harrington, Director of Planning at Regal London.
[1] The London Plan (https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning/london-plan) is the statutory spatial development strategy for the Greater London area written by the Mayor of London and published by the Greater London Authority, This supports the delivery of sustainable freight transport and the Mayor’s ambition to increase the proportion of freight moved on London’s waterways. In 2018/1 9, a review of this network was undertaken to ensure that it remains relevant and fit for purpose.
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About IPC
Independent Port Consultants Limited (IPC) delivers consultancy services to the maritime, ports, terminals and logistics sectors. It offers a highly experienced team each with many decades of experience and complementary skills capable of delivering a wide range of advisory services.
Streamlined overheads, a flat management structure and decades of experience allow IPC to deliver value and a rapid response to clients with reliable and impartial advice. IPC supports operators, governments, service providers and investors with strategic decisions, investments, business development, commercial, technical, operational, environmental, HR and training requirements. https://bit.ly/port-consultants
About Regal London
Regal London is one of London’s leading privately owned mixed-use real estate developers. They specialise in residential-led mixed-use developments and have delivered successful projects across London, from Kensington to Tower Hamlets and from Barnet to Shoreditch.
Regal London focus on residential for sale and build to rent schemes, combined with mixed-use opportunities including hotels, flexible workspaces, retail and logistics, seeking out value and maximising opportunities for their partners from the most unexpected places. https://www.regal-london.co.uk/