A community group who plan to build a replica war ship in Deptford are calling in the lawyers, accusing developers of trying to make sure the project "quietly dies".

The Mayor of London called in plans for the £1bn, 3,500-home Convoys Wharf scheme, giving it the go ahead in March under the condition that it included the Build the Lenox project - which plans to construct a full size replica of a 17th century warship.

But the Lenox team are asking for help from supporters to pay their legal fees, claiming conditions being insisted on by Hong Kong developer Hutchison Whampoa appear designed to "ensure it quietly dies".

They say, despite a string of meetings with the Greater London Authority, the drafting of documents is being driven by the developer and they "have lost any confidence that the process is being conducted fairly, transparently, or with true impartiality."

The project's preferred site of the old double dry dock where the Lenox was originally built, has been taken off the table by the mayor and developers, despite strong support from Lewisham politicians. 

News Shopper:

Meanwhile a different part of the site, the Olympia Shed, would charge them market rents from the start and would only be available in the scheme's second phase - potentially more than eight years away.

Julian Kingston from the project said: "We're a community project. Market rents on a building that size are totally onerous. We'd really struggle and it would threaten the project."

He claimed Hutchison were also only offering a maximum 10-year tenure - impacting on plans to make the Lenox Deptford's answer to the Cutty Sark and a long-term provider of jobs and training.

Mr Kingston said: "The developer hasn't actually moved from his original position before the application was heard in front of the mayor.

"Their message seems to be 'build your bloody boat and clear out'."

Build the Lenox are appealing for help to cover their legal costs. If you can help send a donation via Paypal to buildthelenox@gmail.com, a cheque payable to Build the Lenox to 2a Creekside, London SE8 4SA, or visit buildthelenox.org

A spokesman for Hutchison Whampoa Properties said: “We have made a number of offers to facilitate the development of the Lenox Project as part of our proposals for the regeneration of Convoys Wharf.

"These issues are now under consideration by the Greater London Authority and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”