CTRU News and Current Projects

The CTRU is very pleased to be working again with St.George plc on community engagement for the proposed redevelopment of an RAF site in W.Drayton.

(CTRU advised on community engagement for St George's redevelopment of RAF Hendon. Read more here.)

The CTRU is working with a new consortium on one of the largest proposals for an expanded settlement in the Thames Gateway. The work involves community engagement in considering what goes into making a genuinely sustainable community.

Interestingly, the scheme is employment rather than housing led, and entirely financed by the private sector through uplift in land value - should the scheme win planning permission. The proposals involve establishing a Community Trust to own assets, and maintain and manage open spaces which comprise 50% of the scheme.

Read more details here.

An update on Convoys Wharf
June 2005

The Richard Rogers masterplan for Henry VIII's royal docks' victualling yards at Convoys Wharf in Deptford, south London, one of the few remaining undeveloped riverside sites, has at last received planning permission after two years of negotiations.

The CTRU has been undertaking social impact assessments for the community forum, and presenting findings at seminars to health, education and local economy stakeholders at strategic and delivery level, of the impact of this development on the immediate neighbourhood. The development will double the number of residents when the build-out is complete.

The RU joined the flotilla organised by Convoys Oppportunities, to draw attention to their campaign promoting a cruise liner terminal for the wharf - one of the few deep water berths along the Thames - and sailed to work on a Thames barge in the company of Henry VIII in the form of Chair Bill Elson, Cardinal Wolsey (the local Cannon) and Nelson.

London is alone in being a world class city without such a facility. The opportunity may now be lost for all time to the capital, at a time when the Thames Strategy East is being consulted on and includes a recommendation for safeguarding the remaining deep water. This is particularly ironic, coming at the same time as John Prescott is supporting Liverpool in developing such a facility.

The RU continues its work with the forum, helping projects they fund to consider their future beyond SRB.