London's largest working boat yard and marina gets set for health and safety upgrade

11 January 2024

South Dock Marina is to undergo a £6 million structural upgrade to deliver crucial health and safety works at the site and enhance the boatyard environment. The programme of works, led by Southwark Council, is scheduled to commence late 2024, pending planning permission.

Nested on the south bank of the Thames, South Dock Marina is home to 200 berths and plays an integral part of the local community. Over the past decade, the council has carried out several improvements to the marina and has recently begun preparation for the upcoming safety works.

A public consultation on the design concept was carried out in 2023 and a revised proposal reflecting local views has been brought forward to the council’s planning committee.

Subject to planning permission, the marina will be reorganised to create a safer workflow, tackling key health and safety issues. New business units, of various sizes, which provide additional choice to businesses will be introduced and unsuitable structures will be removed from the site. The council will be creating purpose built workshops and business units that comply with modern building standards around fire safety, thermal performance and energy efficiency for rent to eligible businesses. The plans also include a new electrical substation dedicated to increasing the capacity for boats moored in Greenland Dock.

Additional health and safety improvements to the boat yard include:

• Upgrading the electrical supply and distribution;
• Replacing and relocating the facilities block (bathrooms, laundry etc);
• Creating safe access to workshops;
• Segregating vehicle/pedestrian access and circulation;
• Reconfiguring the layout to create clear zones for the range of boat-related activities accommodated at the site;
• Improving ground conditions, drainage and resurfacing to address subsidence.

Additionally, as part of the boatyard works, the council will replace the existing crane at the marina, which has nearly reached the end of its useable life after almost 40 years.

The proposals also include the introduction of a café and a meeting space, to further enhance the boat yard offer for businesses and customers to the site.

Under the new proposals, and in line with the £6 million investment at the site, the council will offer new business lease arrangements for those businesses seeking to use the new workspace.

The new arrangements include a discounted rent for boat repair business currently operating out of the boat yard. All new charges will be introduced on a phased basis to existing users. 

A Southwark Council spokesperson said: “The investment in our cherished marina not only addresses urgent health and safety concerns but will also reaffirm the boatyard as a premier destination for boating enthusiasts, attracting more visitors and strengthening the local community. Our long-term vision is to build on the marine services offered from the yard to support the wider Thames economy.

“While there will be some initial disruption at the site, we are dedicated to supporting marina business owners and the berth holders through this transition period while the improvements are implemented”.

For more information, please visit the council’s website.

Page last updated: 11 January 2024