Wandsworth resolves to approve plans for New Covent Garden Market

A joint venture between developers St Modwen and VINCI plc submitted plans to the Council in May for the demolition of the existing wholesale fruit and vegetable and flower markets and the construction of a mixed-use development including a new market and three residential neighbourhoods.

Detailed plans were submitted for the 15 hectare 'Market Site', proposing a 47,803 sq m fruit and vegetable market, a 4,645 sq m flower market and a 'Garden Heart Building' containing offices, and visitor and education centre, cafes and restaurants. A new 314-space multi-storey car park has been proposed to the south of the Market Site and an existing car park in the south-west corner would be refurbished and extended to provide 661 parking spaces and six five-a-side football pitches under the plans.

Outline plans were submitted for residential-led, mixed use neighbourhoods to the north and north east of the Market Site and at the entrance to the market. A four hectare 'Northern Site' would include 11 buildings ranging in height from five to 54 storeys under the plans. Up to 1,915 flats, up to 11,000 sq m of offices, nearly 2,000 sq m of retail space and a GP surgery are proposed for the Northern Site, which would also include 10,000 sq m of park land.

The 'Apex Site' would include up to 623 homes within seven buildings, with ground floor retail space, offices and a gym. A further 430 homes have been proposed for the 'Entrance Site', which would comprise seven buildings up to 17 storeys high, set in 3,400 sq m of park land.

Provision of up to 600 affordable homes has been proposed across the development, of which 51 affordable family homes would be provided in three blocks along the Thessaly Road to the south west of the Market Site.

The proposals were approved at a meeting of the Council's planning committee yesterday, having been recommended for approval in a planning officer's report.

Sarah McDermott, chairman of the Council’s planning committee, said in a statement: “The market is the biggest single development site in Nine Elms and an incredibly valuable source of local jobs. Its revival is key to our vision for the area and the redevelopment of its perimeter sites will fuse together key sections of the new people-friendly environment we are creating here."