London last-mile project has scope for water-borne freight

Henley Investment Management has obtained planning consent for a mixed-use project that will combine  a large apartment scheme and last-mile logistics facility on the one of the last undeveloped riverside sites beside the Thames in London.

The redevelopment of Albert and Swedish Wharf in Fulham, also includes a new jetty that will enable the goods to be transported to and from the proposed 55,000 sq ft (5,110 sq m) logistics building by boat.

The scheme will transform the underutilised two-acre site by Wandsworth Bridge on the north bank to provide a 55,000 sqft last mile logistics facility on the River Thames.

The remainder of the two-acre site adjacent to Wandsworth bridge will be transformed into a cluster of six to 17-storey residential buildings with 276 apartments. The apartments will range in size from studio to four-bed and 35% of the new homes will be affordable with a mix of social rent and intermediate rent.

The development is expected to have strong sustainability credentials, including optimised passive energy measures, a 5th generation heat network, and improvements to land and marine biodiversity. A café or restaurant is also planned on the project’s upper courtyard.

 “The redevelopment of Albert and Swedish Wharf is a truly unique opportunity to bring this site back into positive use,” Henley Investment Management chief executive Ian Rickwood said. “Not only does it provide much needed housing for London but also an operational wharf for last mile logistics. The River Thames has huge untapped potential for handling light freight and utilising the river more will help ease congestion and reduce pollution across London.”