• 2008 shaping up to be year of delivery for Greenwich Peninsula - London’s largest regeneration scheme
• Work about to start on the new campus for Ravensbourne College
• Work already underway on first commercial building 
• By June 1,300 homes expected to have detailed planning consent

2008 will be a year of major delivery at Greenwich Peninsula with significant progress set to be made on London’s largest regeneration scheme. That is the commitment of the leaders of Greenwich Peninsula Regeneration Ltd, the joint venture responsible for the success of the scheme.

In the latest development, on Tuesday 18 March, Ravensbourne College, a leading higher education college of design and communication, marks the countdown to work starting on building a new campus for 1,500 students at Greenwich Peninsula with a celebration event.  Detailed planning consent is already in place and work is due to start in the next few weeks with the new campus expected to be ready for the 2010 academic year.

With multiple starts on site expected throughout the year on both residential and commercial plots, Greenwich Peninsula is on track to make an important contribution to the future housing needs of Londoners. By June 2008 around 1,300 homes are expected to have detailed planning consent. Already, 436 homes have detailed planning consent across two different plots, and preliminary site work is underway on the first residential plot, with construction due to start shortly. Detailed planning consents will be sought for a further 800 homes across three different plots throughout 2008.

Welcoming the progress in 2008, Housing Minister Iain Wright said:
 
"We are investing more than £9 billion across the Thames Gateway and it is exciting to see projects like Ravensbourne College becoming a reality. Over the next decade it is estimated 24,000 new jobs will be created on Greenwich Peninsula and Ravensbourne College will be at the forefront of helping drive forward this regeneration."    
 
Andrew Storey, Joint Chief Executive of Greenwich Peninsula said:

“The imminent start of work on the relocation of Ravensbourne College is yet more evidence that we are now firmly in the delivery phase of this important scheme for London.  It is only sensible that time has been taken to deliver this highly complex programme and secure the collaboration of key partners. We now have the opportunity to create an exceptional new part of London.”

Phil Dibsdale, Area Director of English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency and landowner at Greenwich Peninsula, said:

“We’ve played a central role in the regeneration of Greenwich Peninsula since buying the land over ten years ago and 2008 is shaping up to be one of the most significant in the site’s history. It’s vital that new facilities are delivered alongside high-quality homes. The relocation of Ravensbourne College will bring huge benefits and help to establish the peninsula as one of London’s most exciting districts.” 
 
END

Notes to Editors

About Greenwich Peninsula 
The £5 billion regeneration of 190 acres of Greenwich Peninsula led by Lend Lease and Quintain Estates and Development PLC working in collaboration with English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency - a true public private partnership. The scheme will create a thriving new riverside community for London over the next 15 years.

• 10,000 new homes in distinct residential neighbourhoods
• 24,000 permanent jobs
• Peninsula Central  - a new business district for London 
• 150 new shops and restaurants
• 1.6 miles of river frontage; the distance between Waterloo and London Bridge
• 48 acres of open spaces and parks; the size of Green Park
• Extensive new community and leisure facilities
• The O2 entertainment destination delivered and operated by AEG Europe
• Excellent transport links, situated in zone 2 on the jubilee line
• Aspiration for the highest environmental standards for new buildings

www.greenwichpeninsula.co.uk

About Lend Lease 
Lend Lease listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, is a leading real estate specialist which creates and manages real estates assets around the world.  In the UK its business is focussed primarily in the delivery of large scale mixed use schemes which lead to the regeneration of major urban sites.
www.lendlease.com

About Quintain Estates and Development PLC
Quintain is a leading property investment and development company specialising in strategic property acquisition, redevelopment, asset management and regeneration across the UK.  Quintain operates through three business segments - fund management, property investment and urban regeneration. Quintain is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a FTSE 250 company.
www.quintain-estates.com

About English Partnerships 
English Partnerships is the national regeneration agency helping the Government to support high quality sustainable growth in England by creating well-served mixed communities where people enjoy living and working.  The agency is overseeing the regeneration of Greenwich Peninsula and has invested over £225m since 1997.
www.englishpartnerships.co.uk