6,500 Homes Plan Silvertown Industrial Land 2026

Key Points

• A business group, led by the Silvertown Partnership managed by Lendlease in collaboration with the Greater London Authority (GLA), proposes to develop over 6,500 new homes on a 60-acre site in Silvertown, part of the Royal Docks in east London, often referred to in broader south London regeneration contexts.
• The site, historically industrial and derelict for around 40 years, includes the iconic Millennium Mills and is currently zoned for industrial use, with plans to transform it into a mixed-use neighbourhood including commercial floorspace, retail, leisure, cultural facilities, and next-generation workspaces.
• The project forms part of the larger Royal Docks regeneration, aiming for 36,000 new homes and 55,000 jobs over 20 years across 175 hectares of GLA land, with Silvertown as a flagship scheme valued at over £5 billion in gross development value (GDV).
• Construction progress includes the topping out of the first affordable housing block in September 2024, a six-storey building with 106 affordable apartments (across London Affordable Rent, Social Rent, and Shared Ownership) set for completion by Autumn 2025.
• The development promises 8,000 jobs, thousands of skills and training opportunities for local people, restoration of Millennium Mills for commercial use (£160 million GDV), and sustainable features like low-carbon energy from E.ON’s ectogrid™ system harnessing waste heat.​
• Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, endorses the vision, stating in the Royal Docks Investment Prospectus 2025/26: “Our plan sets out our vision for unlocking the area’s potential, with a multi-billion-pound regeneration programme that will deliver thousands of new homes, create thousands of high-quality jobs, and help unleash a new era of sustainable growth in East London.”​
• Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Mayor of Newham, highlights inclusive growth: “The Royal Docks is a place where opportunity is embedded in everything – from job creation and skills development to innovation, culture, and enterprise.”​
• Supporting infrastructure includes the Silvertown Tunnel (opened 2025, £2.2 billion), Elizabeth Line (15 minutes to central London), DLR upgrades, and IFS Cloud Cable Car.​
• The London Plan promotes co-location of industrial uses with housing on Strategic Industrial Land (SIL) to intensify use, retain industrial capacity, and meet housing needs of 52,287 homes annually, amid pressures from high residential land values.
• Investor confidence shown by partnerships like Lendlease and The Crown Estate joint venture, Oxley Holdings with Ballymore at Royal Wharf (over £1 billion GDV), and ADNEC’s hundreds of millions in Excel London expansions.​

Silvertown, Royal Docks (South London News) March 25, 2026 – A controversial proposal by a business consortium to construct more than 6,500 homes on land traditionally zoned for industrial purposes in Silvertown, east London, has sparked debate over housing needs versus employment land preservation.

The Silvertown Partnership, managed by Australian developer Lendlease and partnered with the Greater London Authority as landowner, outlines a £5 billion-plus mixed-use regeneration of a 60-acre derelict dockland site near the Thames Barrier. This flagship project within the Royal Docks framework prioritises thousands of affordable homes alongside commercial spaces, aiming to revive an area dormant since the 1980s. Critics question the shift from industrial zoning, echoing London-wide tensions detailed in GLA industrial land studies.

What is the Silvertown Development Plan?

The plan transforms Silvertown into a “vibrant centre for the Royal Docks,” blending residential, workspaces, and leisure on former industrial land. As detailed in the official Silvertown website, it includes circa 6,500 homes

“for every stage of life, with affordable housing prioritised,”

1.2 million sq ft of workspace in London’s only Enterprise Zone, and 10,000 rewarding jobs plus 1,700 London Living Wage construction roles.​

In the Royal Docks Investment Prospectus 2025/26 published by the GLA, Silvertown is described as a “major mixed-use neighbourhood providing 6,500+ homes and 8,000 jobs,” with Lendlease leading delivery. The prospectus notes:

“The waterfront venture will unlock major regeneration, with plans for 6,500 new homes and considerable amounts of commercial floorspace. Plans centre on reimagining this distinctive waterfront site and transforming it into a thriving new neighbourhood.”​

Where is the Proposed Site Located?

Silvertown lies in the Royal Docks, Newham borough, east London – bordering south London contexts via Thames connections and regeneration corridors.

Across from ExCeL London, it offers Elizabeth Line access (15 minutes to central London via Custom House) and proximity to City Hall. The 60-acre site encompasses historic mill buildings like Millennium Mills and Silo D, derelict for 40 years post-dock closure in 1981.

As per royaldocks.london, the area features six neighbourhoods: Silvertown, Royal Victoria & West Silvertown, Riverside, Beckton Riverside, Royal Albert Dock & Albert Island, North Woolwich, and Canning Town & Custom House.​

Why Build Homes on Industrial Land?

London faces acute housing shortages, with the London Plan targeting 52,287 annual homes amid industrial land pressures from higher residential values. Turley’s Co-Location Report states:

“Co-Location is promoted as a solution by intensifying and integrating industrial, logistics and employment uses with new homes,”

enabling industrial retention via multi-level developments.

GLA’s industrial intensification page emphasises:

“The London Plan refers to meeting current and future demand for the wide range of industrial functions… Intensified industrial development in the right locations will support logistics… improving congestion, air quality and carbon emissions.”

Southwark’s background paper on the New Southwark Plan echoes this, promoting

“co-location, substitution and intensification including… consolidation of industrial land and mixed use development of purpose built industrial workspaces alongside new homes.”

Sadiq Khan supports this in the prospectus, envisioning “sustainable growth.”​

Who are the Key Players Involved?

The Silvertown Partnership (Lendlease-managed) leads, with GLA as landowner, Homes England, and The Guinness Partnership. Lendlease partnered with The Crown Estate for infrastructure and growth.

Newham Council news (March 2024) confirms:

“Work has begun on the flagship Silvertown redevelopment… This will create 6,500 new homes.”

Rokhsana Fiaz OBE states: “At the heart of Newham’s regeneration.”

What Progress Has Been Made So Far?

Construction milestones include the September 2024 topping out of a six-storey block with 106 affordable apartments, on track for Autumn 2025 completion. Silvertown.co.uk reports:

“Progress at Silvertown as first affordable homes top out… The Silvertown project will deliver circa 6,500 homes.”

Construction Enquirer (June 2023) notes Lendlease kicking off the £3.5 billion scheme, designed by Maccreanor Lavington Architects. Royal Docks site affirms:

“Silvertown project will deliver circa 6,500 homes and thousands of good jobs.”

What Jobs and Economic Benefits are Promised?

Up to 8,000 jobs, skills training, and local opportunities are pledged. The prospectus highlights 55,000 jobs across Royal Docks. Silvertown plans next-generation workspaces (1.2M sq ft), retail, and Millennium Mills restoration (£160m GDV).

Newham Council reports over £5bn investment, with 9,000 homes built/under construction and 2,620 jobs created already. London Assembly (2024) notes the OAPF for 36,000 homes/55,000 jobs over 20+ years.

What Infrastructure Supports the Project?

Key enablers: Silvertown Tunnel (2025 opening), Elizabeth Line, DLR (proposed extension), Jubilee Line, Cable Car, and power upgrades. E.ON’s ectogrid™ provides low-carbon energy from waste heat.​

Prospectus lists A-roads, DLR upgrades, and London City Airport.​

What are the Concerns Over Losing Industrial Land?

London Industrial Land Demand Study (2017, GLA/Wandsworth) warns of pressures: “Industrial land… under particular pressure given… high demand for housing land.” It projects low release needs (9.3 ha/year baseline), but actual releases exceed benchmarks.​

Co-location aims to balance, but reports stress retaining SIL (50% of industrial land).

How Does This Fit Broader London Plans?

Part of Royal Docks Delivery Plan and London Growth Plan, aligning with Newham Local Plan. London Plan shifts to “innovative approach to industrial land.” Royal Docks Team supports investors via planning links.

Overall, the proposal advances amid progress, but industrial safeguards remain pivotal. Stakeholder engagement continues as phases unfold into the 2030s.