Convoys Wharf site owners are Hutchinson Property Group, a prominent developer from Hong Kong, known for their large-scale luxury projects. After years of unsuccessful engagement with the Voice4Deptford campaign they have in the last few months begun to shift tactics, embracing a more community-oriented mindset.

Traditionally, the company has focused on high-end residential towers and commercial spaces, such as the Lots Road Power Station development on the Chelsea waterfront. Often criticized like other developers across London for contributing to the lack of housing at social rent levels, putting profit before community infrastructure needs, and indirectly increasing local property costs.

However, the developers new project team has started to engage more closely with the community, with the site becoming more accessible. The developer has organised open walking tours of the site with community groups and local councillors to update the community as to what was happening behind the sites closed gate and high walls.

The Convoys Wharf developers are not yet partnering with Voice4Depford, the local authority – now run by progressive Green Party councillors – or anyone else to start afresh. There has been no talk yet, of co-designing the site, its public areas and green spaces, or in submitting a new ‘master plan’ for the site in the coming months. There is a feeling that the sites future is perhaps now, becoming more negotiable.

This shift has not gone unnoticed; with the possibility that the local community are slowly viewing the developer as a potential partner in revitalizing the Deptford community’s life. Maybe. The key will be in the commitment to integrating social housing and ‘real’ affordable housing components within the development, ensuring a mix of income levels rather than being a detached outsider concerned only with profit margins.

By listening to the Deptford community and aligning with community needs, the developer may redefine its role and pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious development. We will see. Meanwhile we will keep you posted of meetings and opportunities to engage with the developers, so that your voice is heard.

Meanwhile, Voice 4 Deptford has continued it work with UCL Bartlett School of Urban Design in identifying the recognition of culture, heritage and history of this unique site – here’s an example of their work. Students developed new master planning to show the reality of what can be achieved to meet needs in housing, transport, protection and enhancement of blue and green open spaces. It has been sent to the developers. It opens further opportunity for creative ideas and solutions for us as a local community, very aware that ‘developers’ and ‘development’ can damage a neighbourhood – and that is the last thing we want.

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