Deptford Is… in Boris’s hands

As an active supporter of our campaign, you are probably already aware that the planning application for redevelopment of the Royal Dockyard/Convoys Wharf site has been called in by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, at the request of the developer Hutchison Whampoa.

Recent meetings with Dame Joan Ruddock and planners at Lewisham and City Hall have made it painfully clear that the future of community projects Build the Lenox, and Sayes Court Garden is being put at risk in the rush to meet housing targets. The fact that the planning application for Convoys Wharf offers not a single unit of housing for social rent, with the ‘affordable’ element on offer being far beyond the means of the capital’s key workers, is in danger of being disregarded.

On Thursday 19th December there will be a crucial meeting between the planners, the developer, and the Mayor of London’s deputy to discuss the site’s heritage. We believe that the fate of the projects will be decided at this meeting, even though the final decision on the application is not expected until next year.

We are therefore urging all our supporters to reiterate their objections, or submit new ones, in advance of the meeting.

The 1,400-signature petition on change.org demonstrates the strength of support for our campaign, and we are immensely grateful to those who have helped us reach this number. In truth, however, objections from individuals carry just as much weight — sometimes more — and we are asking for your help in this matter.

We realise that this is an extremely busy time of year, but if you could find a few minutes to assist the campaign in this way, we would be eternally grateful. There is information on the Deptford is…website about how to write an objection, and where to send it, if you need some guidance.

In the meantime we would like to wish you a Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

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