The New Covent Garden Market (NCGM) redevelopment has received the final go-ahead from planners after a brief delay pushed the review back by one month.
Wandsworth Council has now approved plans for developer Vinci St. Modwen (VSM) and partner Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) to regenerate the 57-acre site.
“Wandsworth Council’s decision allows us to contribute to the long-term transformation of London’s newest residential and commercial quarter whilst securing the future of New Covent Garden Market by delivering vitally important world-class market facilities,” said Bill Oliver, director of VSM.
“The VSM and CGMA teams have worked closely with the council, local businesses and the local community to ensure that the scheme benefits all stakeholders and we look forward to continuing our work with them to enable a start on site in the first half of 2015.”
The news comes as NCGM tenants' association stepped up a campaign to object against certain details in the plans, and eight tenants handed in their notice for various reasons, including disruption from the upcoming development work.
CGMA chair Pam Alexander said: “I am grateful to Wandsworth Council and all who have worked so hard to ensure the future of New Covent Garden Market as a key landmark at the heart of Nine Elms on the Southbank in the week that the market celebrates 40 years here at Nine Elms.
“New Covent Garden Market is central to supplying London’s fresh produce. With our development partners VSM, we can now deliver the modern facilities that will enable our 200 business to grow and thrive whilst welcoming the public to a new Food Quarter for London.”
Development work on the new market will commence in 2015.
