City of London named preferred bidder for east London power station site
The City of London Corporation is understood to have beaten off competition from Amazon to have been chosen as the preferred bidder to buy Barking Power Station on Chequers Lane, RM9, in East London.
Built in the early 1990s, it was announced by owner Barking Power in 2014 that the power station, located on 42 acres in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, was to close, and demolition began this year.
The City of London Corporation is looking to consolidate and relocate Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield markets and appointed Lambert Smith Hampton in August to undertake a search for a site of up to 100 acres to relocate them to.
The City of London Corporation is understood to have beaten off competition from Amazon to have been chosen as the preferred bidder to buy Barking Power Station on Chequers Lane, RM9, in East London.
Built in the early 1990s, it was announced by owner Barking Power in 2014 that the power station, located on 42 acres in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, was to close, and demolition began this year.
The City of London Corporation is looking to consolidate and relocate Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield markets and appointed Lambert Smith Hampton in August to undertake a search for a site of up to 100 acres to relocate them to.
The decision in principle to shift the markets to a site further out of central London follows a strategic review, carried out by GVA, Optimal Consulting, BDP, WSP and Experian into how the continued operational success of the markets could be secured.
As part of its search for a new site for the markets the City has said it would also consider proposals of a small number of sites adding up to 100 acres in close proximity that could be operated together.
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said: “The City’s three world-leading wholesale food markets in Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield are part of the very fabric of London.
“In order to secure their continued success and best possible future, following a strategic review, we are developing a programme for consolidating the City Corporation’s wholesale markets into one site.
“As part of this programme we will be consulting with the market tenants, traders and their customers, and other key stakeholders to develop the operational requirements for a new market and take their views on the programme and potential sites into account.”
“Our number one priority is to maintain a top-quality market environment for all to enjoy.”
Amazon has been contacted for comment.
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