Deputy Mayor Approves Section 73 Application

The Deputy Mayor of London has granted approval for Section 73 (S73) revisions to the Canada Water Masterplan.  

The amendments to the planning permission for the development originally granted in 2020 include: an increase in height and massing of the residential buildings, the introduction of alternative living uses, increased flexibility across plots and changes to the delivery of affordable housing. The revised masterplan commits to providing 20% affordable housing in the next phase of development (minimum 9% overall across the development).  

These revisions respond to major regulatory changes and sector-wide cost and viability challenges. Approval of the revised masterplan will unlock long-term investment in the local area, delivering thousands more new homes, modern commercial and cultural spaces, alongside new public realm. It will provide funding for local schools and community groups, space for a new health centre, and continued investment in local infrastructure. 

It will also enable the next phase of development, expected to start on site from 2027, including the delivery of affordable housing. 

What is a S73 application?
Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows applications to be made to vary or remove conditions on an existing planning permission. Such applications can be made to change details of a development without fundamentally altering its overall nature and scope.  

S73 applications allow for flexibility in the planning process, so developers can fine-tune their projects and react to changing conditions without needing to delay the project by submitting an entirely new application. 

What has the Canada Water development delivered so far?
The first phase of the Canada Water development has already delivered extensive benefit to the local area, including: revitalised public open spaces including Dock Office Gardens and new wetland habitats at Canada Dock; 79 affordable homes at 7 Roberts Close; medium-term spaces for the community to use including Cyclists Fighting Cancer’s charity bike shop, local business incubator Thrive, the T&T2 community hub for Time & Talents, and the new Canada Water Leisure Centre.  

In addition, to date over 165 previously unemployed Southwark residents have secured jobs, apprenticeships or training opportunities for six months or more and over 30 local community organisations have received direct funding, 5,900 expert volunteering hours and thousands of sq ft of low or no cost workspace for startup SMEs. The development has contributed £13m to improvements at Surrey Quays Station, including creating step-free access, with works scheduled to complete by summer 2026, £2.6m to improvements at Canada Water Station.