London's Neglected Thames Riverside Set for Huge Revival: 8,000 New Homes Planned for Charlton

Three public bodies have joined forces with a landmark commitment to finally regenerate the long-overlooked Charlton Riverside.

The Thames could soon be getting a shiny new neighbourhood. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Transport for London (TfL), agreeing to work together on breathing new life into long-neglected Charlton Riverside — a stretch of the Thames between the Greenwich Peninsula and Woolwich.

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The MoU is not the same as planning permission — it doesn't confirm the makeover will definitely happen — but it is a formal commitment by all three parties to work together to make it a reality. A full planning application will follow.

Greenwich Council envisions that, over the next 20 years, the scheme will deliver 8,000 new homes alongside new schools, community facilities, green spaces, improved transport links, and better public access to the River Thames. The council also stresses that the project will continue to support the area's role as 'one of London's most important industrial locations'.

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Plans to redevelop Charlton Riverside with thousands of new homes were first announced back in 2012, but since then only two blocks of flats have materialised. The project stalled for years, largely because there was no single large landowner able to coordinate development. Authorities also cited a lack of infrastructure as a major hurdle.

Now, however, things are finally moving. Greenwich Council has been steadily buying up land and is now one of the largest landowners on Charlton Riverside. Beyond the long-term vision, the council is developing 'meanwhile use' proposals to activate sites, build confidence, and foster a sense of place as investment arrives. One example: plans to transform an old storehouse into an outdoor events space for gigs, film screenings, and sporting events — currently awaiting approval.

Tom Cressey, Greenwich Council's cabinet member for planning and development, said: 'This partnership is about creating a place that people are proud to call home. Charlton Riverside gives us the opportunity to create new streets, parks, schools, workplaces and homes alongside better connections to the Thames, while strengthening its role as one of London's key industrial locations and supporting the continued growth of creative industries already practising their craft here.'

'The vision has been there for years. Now, the organisations needed to make it happen are working together to move it forward.'

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