Proposals for refurbishment works to Grade II listed Former Dock Offices, and a new Canada Water Masterplan Project Hub at the Former Dock Offices
British Land has submitted a planning application and listed building consent to Southwark Council to carry out internal and external refurbishment works to the former Dock Offices, to preserve them as an important Grade II listed heritage asset. Some of the office space bordering Surrey Quays Road (which formally housed a business school) will also be refurbished to provide a new ‘Project Hub’ for the Canada Water Masterplan to oversee the regeneration of Canada Water into a new town centre for the local area.
The below information provides an overview of the proposals, as well as information on how you can view the application and submit your comments to Southwark Council for their consideration.
- Internal and External Restoration Works to the former Dock Offices
The former Dock Offices at Canada Water are Grade II listed, and British Land has submitted a stand alone planning application (outside of the Canada Water Masterplan permission 18/AP/1604) to carry out some restoration works to preserve this important local heritage asset. All restoration works will be carried out in line with the building’s listed status.
Proposed works include repairing damaged brickwork, repairs to structural cracks, cleaning of the façade and maintenance to the clock tower. In addition, the large modern signage on the principal building façade, which is inconsistent with the aesthetic of the former Dock Offices signage, will be removed.
Internal restoration works include redesigning existing lighting to better reveal the significant architectural features of the building, and restoring existing woodwork.
- Plans for a Canada Water Masterplan ‘Project Hub’ in the Dock Offices
British Land also intends to refurbish some of the Dock office space bordering Surrey Quays Road to provide a Canada Water Masterplan Project Hub. The Hub will contain a flexible exhibition and event space, as well as office space for Canada Water Masterplan project staff. The Project Hub will be located in the office space which formerly housed London College of International Business Studies, which has moved elsewhere in the Borough.
The stand alone Planning Application (Change of Use), which is outside the Canada Water Masterplan Permission 18/AP/1604) has been submitted to change the land use of this space from Educational to Commercial Use (Class D1 to E).
The status of all other tenants within the building will remain unchanged as a result of these proposals.
For further details about the proposed restoration works and change of use planning application to enable delivery of the new Project Hub, please see the Planning Application Cover Letter that was submitted as part of the planning application.
Statutory Consultation – Next Steps
The change of use planning application to enable delivery of the project hub and the listed building consent for refurbishment works have been assigned case reference numbers of 20/AP/2466 and 20/AP/2467 respectively. Southwark Council is holding a statutory consultation period between 4 September – 2 October for the change of use planning application (20/AP/2466), and from 10 September – 8 October for the listed building consent (20/AP/2467). You may have already received a letter from Council about this.
The statutory consultation period is the opportunity for you to view all the planning documents and provide a formal comment directly to Southwark Council. Your comments will then be taken into consideration by the Council in their determination of the planning application.
You can find all the application documents and make your formal comments on the applications by visiting Southwark Council’s Planning Register using the case reference numbers 20/AP/2466 and 20/AP/2467. Comments made to either case reference numbers above will be reviewed together by the Council.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any points in relation to this letter, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
