The proposed redevelopment of the 24 hectares (59 acre) site, adjacent to the Royal Victoria Dock, will provide a major mixed-use scheme in an attractive waterfront location and will feature a world-class Aquarium at Silvertown Quays, designed by renowned architect Terry Farrell & Partners.

The 494,020 m2 (around 5.3 m sq ft) scheme will include approximately 5,000 residential units including a proportion of social rented and other affordable housing as well as 16,550 m2 (178,00 sq ft) of leisure facilities including the Aquarium at Silvertown Quays.

The impressive Millennium Mills and Grade II listed Silo D former grain buildings will be converted as part of the scheme which will also feature new retail, a hotel, offices and workspace, community and education facilities.

SQL and the LDA, which is the landowner of the site, are working with large scale development specialist Kajima Urban Development (KUD). The residential development management will be undertaken by Native Land Ltd and the scheme will be built in partnership with other developers in four phases over the next 10 to 15 years.

An initial funding agreement to commence work on the £1.5 billion development was agreed with the Bank of Scotland in July 2003.

A substantial rejuvenation of the dock area is planned which will also provide mooring for barges. There will be new public open spaces and landscaping, better pedestrian walkways and a new pedestrian bridge across the North Woolwich Road to the proposed nearby Docklands Light Railway station.

Detailed discussions have already taken place with the London Borough of Newham and the Greater London Authority as well as consultation with groups like English Heritage, CABE and the Docklands Light Railway among others.

Editor's notes
The 24 hectares (59 acres) site is bounded by (and includes part of) the Royal Victoria Dock to the north, Mill Road to the west, North Woolwich Road to the south and Connaught Bridge Road to the east.