A major luxury development of 1,500 homes at Morden Wharf on the Greenwich Peninsula has been approved by Greenwich's planning committee, leaving some local critics "incredulous."

Developers U+I are behind the £760 million plans for a massive mixed-used development along the River Thames, with 12 separate buildings reaching up to 36 storeys high plus a number of other features including parks, pubs and a boathouse.

Last night (September 8) Greenwich Council's Planning Committee resolved to grant planning consent to the project, with the plans just sneaking through after councillors were split on the issue.

The developers have described the plans as a "rare and significant opportunity to create a new riverside community on the southwestern fringe of the Peninsula."

News Shopper: The Morden Wharf development is expected to create around 1,100 jobs in the area.The Morden Wharf development is expected to create around 1,100 jobs in the area.

But many, including local MP Matthew Pennycook, have warned the "wholly inappropriate" development will detrimentally impact on the views and existing character and heritage of the local area.

In response to the criticisms, U+I previously said they were turning what is an underused brownfield industrial site into a new, mixed-use neighbourhood, providing 1,500 much-needed homes and around 1,100 new jobs.

"Proposals have been developed in close consultation with the local community and the design of all buildings has been carefully considered to ensure they are in-keeping with the emerging context on the Peninsula."

Around 35% of the 1,500 new homes will be affordable housing, with a mix of shared ownership and London Affordable Rent, all set over six acres on the river front.

News Shopper: Local residents have raised major concerns with the development, namely regarding its height.Local residents have raised major concerns with the development, namely regarding its height.

The approved plans include a four-acre landscaped park which even includes river beach, with open spaces for all age groups, a new public square for seasonal events and markets and underground cark parking.

A number of the residential buildings will feature vertical green façades to help provide natural screening and improve air quality, whilst the plans also include a significant upgrade of the popular Thames Path, which the park will lead directly from.

U+I’s proposals will also deliver a mix of commercial and employment uses that will create around 700 new permanent jobs, and the developers say Morden Wharf is expected to contribute £42m per year in socio-economic value to the local economy.

Greenwich and Woolwich MP Matthew Pennycook was "incredulous" at the decision to approve the plans, saying that legitimate concerns from residents about luxury towers had been ignored.

The MP said the result of these plans is an "entirely inappropriate scheme and an impending race for the skies on the adjacent Enderby Place site.