Partners Celebrate Progress at Lombard Square

Senior leaders from the Greater London Authority, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Peabody and Berkeley were at Lombard Square to celebrate the transformation of the derelict industrial site into a low carbon mixed-use neighbourhood. The event saw Deputy Mayor of London for Housing & Residential Development, Tom Copley, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Cllr Anthony Okereke, Chief Executive of Berkeley Group, Rob Perrins, and senior representatives from Peabody, including John Lewis, Executive Director for Thamesmead, bury a time capsule in the new public Four Seasons Park and contained items from local community groups which represent them and the local area at this point in time. 

Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: “I’m pleased to see the development of Lombard Square progressing well, offering much-needed low carbon housing, including affordable homes and high quality green space. We’re working with Newham Council, TfL and a group of local stakeholders to campaign for the extension of the DLR to Thamesmead, which would enable the delivery of more high quality housing. Thamesmead is an ambitious, growing community and DLR would transform the area, just like the Elizabeth line has done for Woolwich and Abbey Wood.”

Karl Whiteman, Divisional Managing Director at Berkeley Group said: “Lombard Square is a hugely ambitious regeneration project and will be a force for positive change in Thamesmead for many years to come. We’re proud to be working in partnership with the GLA, Royal Borough of Greenwich and Peabody to unlock the huge growth potential of the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area and deliver the low carbon homes Londoners need.”

John Lewis, Peabody’s Executive Director, Thamesmead, said: “We’re already building thousands of homes in South Thamesmead, across a seven-phase masterplan, and Lombard Square promises to be a fantastic, new neighbourhood that will provide even more affordable homes and facilities in the west part of the town. With the possibility of a much-needed extension to the DLR also being considered by TfL, we and our partners have big ambitions for Thamesmead. It’s perfectly placed to relieve London’s growing housing pressures and boost the national economy by connecting lower-cost homes to the job hotspots of central London and the docklands. Lombard Square will unlock even more of Thamesmead’s potential, so it’s exciting to see such progress on site, and we look forward to welcoming new residents and businesses in the not-too-distant future.