Albert Island is a 10 hectare site and is largely owned by the Greater London Authority (GLA) in London's Royal Docks. The mayor's office said that a successful proposal should include the provisions to build new marine facilities, improve the river frontage to create a link between the development and the surrounding communities, "improve transport links to Gallions Reach and King George V DLR stations, and provide better cycling and walking routes". There is also the possibility that a small number of new homes will be included in the scheme.
The redevelopment of Albert Island has the potential to create hundreds of jobs, the mayor's office said. Part of the mayor's objective is to increase the use of the river for both industrial and transport purposes and provide facilities for current boat traffic as promoted by the Mayor's River Action Plan.
The Royal Docks is currently undergoing significant redevelopment with plans for more than 11,000 new homes and 40,000 jobs in the area. Current projects include the Royal Albert Dock, Silvertown Quays and Royal Albert Basin. Albert Island is one of the last remaining sites still to be developed.
The deputy mayor of London for housing and land Richard Blakeway, who launched the initiative, said: “The continued regeneration of the Royal Docks is one of the mayor’s strategic priorities. The development of Albert Island with a new boatyard and marina would provide key maintenance and accommodation facilities for marine traffic, and new employment space that would help bring more skilled jobs to the area. It’s a unique opportunity for interested developers and follows recent significant progress to regenerate major sites in the area.”
The consultation on the proposals will conclude on 18 June 2015.
Planning expert Victoria Lindsay of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com said:
"This is one of the last remaining sites to be proposed for development in the Royal Docks area, which is a location of strategic priority for the mayor of London ".
"Alongside Newham Council's recent decision to grant planning permission for redevelopment of nearby Silverton Quays and the £1 billion ABP Asia Business Park redevelopment scheme to transform the Royal Albert Docks, this latest 10 hectare site represents a further key part of the new business district for East London."