Boris gives backing to Wood Wharf

  Mayor of London Boris Johnson has backed in principle Canary Wharf, Ballymore and British Waterways’ £2bn Wood Wharf development.     The support is subject to affordable housing, transport and infrastructure issues being resolved.                                 In a written response to Tower Hamlets, the mayor’s planning decisions unit writes that the principle of the scheme is supported and the design is of a “generally high standard”.     It adds, however, that there are detailed issues relating to “design, access, energy, affordable housing, social and community infrastructure and transport” which need resolving.     In particular, it calls for the inclusion of social housing and for further work on transport assessment, including contributions to Crossrail and enhancing capacity on the DLR.     Canary Wharf and joint venture partners British Waterways and Ballymore lodged outline plans for the scheme, which will be built on on 17 acres of waterfront land on the north-west corner of the Isle of Dogs, in July.     The Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners masterplan includes 5m sq ft of offices in six blocks around a new square, a 120-bed hotel and six residential blocks comprising 1,668 homes.     The partners hope to receive outline consent by the end of the year, paving the way for a phased development that would see the first offices delivered by 2011-12.     paul.norman@egi.co.uk