Safeguarded Wharves Reviews
Since 2000 there has been a network of wharves in London protected by Safeguarding Directions issued by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. These Directions require that the Mayor is consulted prior to the granting of planning permission on a Safeguarded Wharf. As set out in the London Plan, these wharves are safeguarded for the purposes of water-borne freight handling. To view the directions, please visit the Safeguarded Wharves Directions webpage. The network of safeguarded wharves has been reviewed three times since 2000.
Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018 - 2021
In 2018 the Mayor commenced the latest review, which recommended some changes to the network of Safeguarded Wharves. In September 2020, the Secretary of State confirmed his agreement with the Safeguarded Wharves Review’s recommendations. Updated Safeguarding Directions reflecting the review’s recommendations were issued by the Secretary of State on 19 February 2021.
Secretary of State's response – September 2020
On 15 September 2020, the Housing Minister wrote to the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills on behalf of the Secretary of State confirming their agreement with the recommendations included in the Implementation Report – Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018-2019.
The Housing Minister’s letter can be downloaded below:
The following documents are available to download:
- Implementation Report, Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018-2019 – February 2020
- Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018, Statement of Consultation – December 2019
- Mayoral Decision, MD2569 Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018-2019 – December 2019
Mayor’s submission – February 2020
Following consideration of submissions received, on 20 February 2020 the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills sent a letter to the Secretary of State on behalf of the Mayor submitting his recommendations for safeguarding. The letter, and the attached documents, can be downloaded below:
- Letter to the Secretary of State, 20 February 2020
- Annex A to the Letter to the Secretary of State, Implementation Report
- Annex B to the Letter to the Secretary of State, Mayoral Decision MD2569
- Annex C to the Letter to the Secretary of State, MD2569 combined appendices
- Annex D to the Letter to the Secretary of State, Summary of changes
Round Two Consultation – August 2019
In response to matters raised, the Mayor proposed minor changes to the boundaries of some wharves within the network. The Mayor issued the following document for a six week public consultation that closed at 6pm on Wednesday 2 October 2019:
Following consideration of submissions received, the Mayor submitted his recommendations for safeguarding to the Secretary of State to determine if they supported the recommendations.
Round One Consultation - August 2018
The Mayor issued a suite of documents for the Round One public consultation in 2018. The Mayor carefully considered the responses received and released a draft Consultation Summary Report responding to the main issues raised.
The Mayor issued the following documents for the 3 month public consultation that closed at 5pm on Friday 17 August 2018:
- Implementation Report, Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018 - Consultation Draft, May 2018;
- Forecasting London's Freight Demand and Wharf Capacity on the Thames 2015 - 2041, prepared by Ocean Shipping Consultants;
- Strategic Environmental Assessment, Safeguarded Wharves Review, prepared by WSP Consulting Ltd;
- Strategic Environmental Assessment: Non Technical Summary, Safeguarded Wharves Review, prepared by WSP Consulting Ltd;
- Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018, Information to Inform Habitats Regulations Screening Assessment, prepared by WSP Consulting Ltd;
- Safeguarded Wharves Review 2018, Equalities Impact Assessment;
- Individual Site Assessments for each wharf;
- Strategic Assessment of Wharves, by sub-region, prepared by WSP Consulting Ltd;
Safeguarded Wharves Review 2011 - 2013
An attempt was made by the Mayor to update the network in 2011-13. The Secretary of State chose not to endorse the recommended changes.
In October 2011 the Mayor published a consultation setting out the results of a Review of the safeguarding of wharves on London's waterways. The Review made recommendations on the future safeguarding or release of individual wharves, with Annex 5 setting out individual site assessments.
In July 2012 the Mayor published a Further Consultation draft, a Further Consultation draft Annex 5, a draft Statement of Consultation, and a Habitats Regulation Assessment.
In March 2013 the final Recommendations, Annex 5, and Statement of Consultation were submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. The Secretary of State chose not to endorse the recommended changes and no new or revised Safeguarding Directions were issued.
Safeguarded Wharves: London Plan Implementation Report 2005
As noted above, the network was expanded in 2005, with a London Plan Implementation Report issued. This led to the issuing of further Safeguarding Directions by the Secretary of State.
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