Wind turbines give new look to Thames Gateway

A column of wind turbines is to be erected alongside the Thames near Tower Bridge.

The turbines are the centrepiece of plans for a £200million new housing scheme at Chambers Wharf, which its developers, St Martins, claim will be one of the greenest in the capital.

Southwark council has given planning permission for the project, designed by architect Ian Simpson, which includes 596 homes and green initiatives ranging from combined heat and power plants to ground-source heating and cooling, rainwater collection and solar panels for water heating. A total of 13 wind turbines will be positioned alongside a riverside walkway.

Of the new homes on the fouracre brownfield site, 189 will be affordable housing, earmarked for key workers and people on low incomes. The scheme is due for completion in 2013. Lindsey Robinson, development director at St Martins, said: "The potential carbon dioxide savings far exceed current requirements and Chambers Wharf will provide a new, dramatic architectural element to this important part of the river frontage.

"The current buildings have largely fallen into disuse and in replacing them we are intending to create a development with world class architecture."