Urban freight logistics port for London

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

Developer Regal London unveiled the plans for the port as part of its transformation of Orchard Wharf which has lain untouched since 1993.

The mixed scheme envisages affordable homes, purpose built student accommodation and an urban freight logistics port catering to London’s last-mile distribution needs.

The urban freight port will be developed in collaboration with the Port of London Authority and has been designed to protect residents in terms of noise and air quality, with an enclosed Wharf Box ensuring that the wharf activity remains separate from local activities. Regal London’s plans are set for submission to London Borough of Tower Hamlets in Spring 2024.

In 2020, Regal London submitted a hybrid planning application proposing 826 new homes across five buildings ranging from 15 to 30 storeys, an operational logistics box, and flexible commercial space totalling some 88,000 ft2. The application was subsequently withdrawn in Spring 2023.

Orchard Wharf has been safeguarded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) since 1997. The site is part of the London Plan and Tower Hamlets Development Plan. Policy 7.26 of the London Plan is ‘is to increase the use of the Blue Ribbon Network to transport freight’.

As part of this policy development proposals ‘should protect existing facilities for waterborne freight traffic, in particular safeguarded wharves should only be used for waterborne freight handling uses. The redevelopment of safeguarded wharves for other land uses should only be accepted if the wharf is no longer viable or capable of being made viable for waterborne freight handling.’’