Southwark Council has given planning permission to Andy Sturgeon Design for the development of the Canada Water Eastern Dockside in London.

It is part of a wider 1.5 million sq ft commercially-led scheme at Canada Water Dockside, one of the London’s largest developments, led by Art-Invest Real Estate.

London-based studio Andy Sturgeon Design won a competition to design a hub for the local community at the Eastern Dock Edge as part of the regeneration to deliver a new town centre, which is underway.

Credit: Art-Invest

The hub needed to “knit together” with the wider masterplan and development by British Land and reflect the heritage of Canada Want and Southwark, whilst having its own individual character. It includes a double-sided amphitheatre, a mid-level promontory, seating areas at all levels, safe spaces for angling and large raised planters.

It will also connect people to the waterside, to which there is currently no public access. A meandering walkway to the water’s edge will expand and contract to create pockets that will be rich in biodiverse planting. The proposals have a biodiversity net gain of 12.23%, more than 2% above the minimum requirement.

To reflect the local area, plants of local provenance have been chosen, and stacked timber seating in the amphitheatre is a nod to the dock’s history of importing timber. A repurposed docking bollard has been included in a pocket seating area.