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MORDEN WHARF. STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT REGENERATION RETHOUGHT Lowick The News Building 3 London Bridge Street London, SE1 9SG Report Author Tom Dewey, Account Director [email protected] +44 (0)203 743 6250 CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 4 2. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 6 2.2. The site and local area ................................................................................................... 9 2.3. A brief history ............................................................................................................... 10 2.4. Planning policy context ................................................................................................ 11 2.5. Scheme description ..................................................................................................... 11 3. STAKEHOLDER AUDIT ...................................................................................................... 14 3.2. Political stakeholders ................................................................................................... 14 3.3. Local groups and organisations .................................................................................. 14 3.4. Local businesses, schools and community facilities .................................................. 15 3.5. Neighbouring developers ............................................................................................ 16 4. CONSULTATION AIMS ...................................................................................................... 17 5. CONSULTATION ACTIVITY AND OUTCOMES ............................................................... 18 5.2. Public exhibition (November 2018) ............................................................................. 18 5.3. Survey responses ......................................................................................................... 20 5.4. Key issues identified .................................................................................................... 24 5.5. Public exhibition (September-October 2019) ............................................................. 27 5.6. Survey responses (September-October 2019) ........................................................... 29 5.7. Key issues identified .................................................................................................... 34 5.8. Stakeholder meetings .................................................................................................. 36 6. KEY ISSUE AND RESPONSES ........................................................................................... 41 7. CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... 53 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................... 56 Appendix 1 – Flyer promoting public exhibition (November 2018) ......................................... 56 Appendix 2 – Distribution map (November 2018) ................................................................... 58 Appendix 3 – Public Exhibition boards (November 2018) ....................................................... 59 Appendix 4 – Feedback form (November 2018) ...................................................................... 68 Appendix 5 – Data tables from November 2018 survey .......................................................... 70 Appendix 6 – Feedback summary (March 2019) ..................................................................... 74 Appendix 7 – Flyer promoting public exhibition (September 2018) ........................................ 78 Appendix 8 – Distribution map (September 2019) .................................................................. 79 Appendix 9 – News Shopper adverts (18 and 25 September 2018) ....................................... 80 Appendix 10 – Exhibition boards (September-October 2019) ................................................ 82 Appendix 11 – Feedback form (September-October 2019) .................................................... 94 Appendix 12 – Data tables from September-October 2019 survey ........................................ 96 3 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Figure 1: Riverfront view of the proposals for Morden Wharf 1.1.1. This Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) has been prepared by Lowick to accompany a hybrid application for planning permission for Morden Wharf, Greenwich Peninsula (“the site”). The application is submitted on behalf of Cathedral (Greenwich Beach) Ltd. (a subsidiary of U+I Group plc) and Morden College (“the applicant”). 1.1.2. The public engagement and consultation for the application was coordinated by Lowick, in conjunction with the applicant and the wider project team. Over the last eighteen months there has been extensive discussions with local residents, groups and societies, as well as elected members. The applicant has been particularly mindful of the need to engage closely with key neighbouring businesses, to ensure the proposals for Morden Wharf do not negatively impact their operations and respect the ‘agent of change’ principle. 1.1.3. Two rounds of public consultation have been held, with a public exhibition in November 2018 focusing on the principles of development and overall masterplan, and in September - October 2019 on the developed proposals for the site. Both were well attended by a mixture of local residents, businesses, workers and local groups. 1.1.4. As the design has progressed, a number of ideas raised by stakeholders and the public have been incorporated into the scheme such as enlarging the scale of the proposed riverfront park, incorporating more open green space. The design of the buildings has evolved considerably, with changes in massing and spacing, as well as providing a landmark river presence and architecture which references the industrial history of the site. 1.1.5. At the final consultation in September-October 2019, two-thirds of responses were supportive or strongly supportive of the proposals. There was particularly strong support for Morden Park, the illustrative design of the buildings and the employment offer supporting 682 direct jobs. 4 1.1.6. Chart 1: Overall, are you supportive of the proposals for Morden Wharf (Sept-Oct 2019) 27% Strongly support 39% Support Neither support nor oppose Oppose 15% Strongly oppose 7% 12% 1.1.7. Some local community groups, while welcoming many elements of the scheme such as the proposals for public open space and employment uses, have expressed concern that the height and density of the development is excessive. This has been a view expressed by a minority throughout the consultation, predominantly from older residents, amenity societies and often those who have a negative view of the wider development of the peninsula. 1.1.8. Concerns about transport infrastructure on the peninsula, both current capacity and planned improvements, have been a consistent theme. Much of this is outside of the direct control of the applicant and action will require the collective investment and coordination of all the major developers, Transport for London (TfL) and the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG) over a number of years. Where possible, the Morden Wharf site has sought to encourage and improve walking, cycling and public transport provision. This is encompassed by the Mobility Hub concept; embracing new technology and innovation and including elements such as a new bus stop on Tunnel Avenue, a shuttle bus to local stations, and facilitating discussion around a new riverboat pier on the western side of the peninsula. The scheme would also generate an estimated £11.3m in combined Mayoral and Local Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments, plus S106 contributions, £9.8m New Homes Bonus payments over four years, and Council Tax and Business Rates revenues of £3.4m per annum. 1.1.9. The applicant has engaged in extensive pre-application discussions with the local community in a transparent and constructive manner, incorporating feedback where possible and making a number of changes to the scheme in response to specific concerns or ideas. 1.1.10. On balance, the majority of those consulted supported the applicants’ vision of creating a vibrant new community rooted in the site’s heritage with public space at its heart. This public support for the Morden Wharf plans gives added weight to the planning case for the scheme and should give confidence to officers and members to grant consent. 1.1.11. Morden Wharf presents a unique opportunity to revitalise one of the last strategic sites on the peninsula. The proposals will bring together 1,500 new homes, amenities, employment and an extensive 1.57ha riverfront park to form an iconic destination for the Royal Borough of Greenwich. 5 2. INTRODUCTION 2.1.1. This Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) has been prepared by Lowick to accompany a hybrid application for the redevelopment of Morden Wharf, Greenwich Peninsula (“the site”). The application is submitted on behalf of Cathedral (Greenwich Beach) Ltd. and Morden College (“the applicant”). 2.1.2. Morden College is an independent Charity based in Blackheath, established over 300 years ago. Its purpose is to help older people by offering either a home for independent living, a home for supported