London Mayor unveils plans for floating village at Royal Victoria Dock

London Mayor Boris Johnson has unveiled plans to construct a 6ha floating village, which would be the largest such village in the UK, at the Royal Victoria Dock.

As per the plans, the 15 acres of water at the Royal Victoria site, directly under the Emirates Airline cable car link, will be transformed into a new community with floating homes, hotels, restaurants and bars.

Post completion, the village will be one-and-a-half times the size of Green Park and feature a Crossrail station and transport links to Canary Wharf.

Johnson, who also launched an international competition to find developers to design and deliver the scheme, said that the site is unique.

"It has the potential to become one of the most sought after addresses in the capital while breathing new life back into London’s waterways," Johnson said.

Johnson said the redevelopment of the Royal Docks area was one of his key priorities.

Johnson has already opened the Emirates Airline and the Siemens Crystal Centre, and there are proposals for future developments at Silvertown Quays and Royal Albert Docks on the anvil.

Newham Mayor Robin Wales said that the Docks will be transformed into a new community of high quality offices, workspace, retail, residential spaces, leisure and entertainment facilities.

"This venture will provide a major boost for the local economy and further cement the area’s reputation as one of the capital’s must-visit places," Wales said.

"Investment in the borough encompassing the Olympic Park and Stratford in the north through to Canning Town, Custom House and the Royal Docks in the south, reflects Newham’s status as London’s regeneration priority for the next 25 years."

Over 200ha of contaminated and derelict land in London’s East End was redeveloped to construct stadiums and accommodate the Olympic Games.

Under the plans, parts of the area were also turned into residential neighbourhoods and a park.

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Image: London Mayor Boris Johnson said the redevelopment of the Royal Docks area was one of his key priorities. Photo: Greater London Authority.