Britain ’ s First Floating Village next spring ?
Wales , one of its most vocal critics , said : “ The Council cannot , and will not , accept a development consisting purely of luxury apartments which will be out of reach of the majority of our residents […] The GLA and Carillion Igloo Genesis need to look again at their plans and ensure that there is sufficient affordable housing provided by the scheme and a range of other amenities to serve the existing community as well as any new residents .”
Igloo , in fairness , won praise for its ten-year Bermondsey square development in South London , which was completed in 2008 , creating another semi-independent community where the inhabitants of the 76 apartments constructed can enjoy shops , offices and even an independent art house cinema .
It also set up its own management company in partnership with Creative Space Management and Living City to respond to the needs of tenants and residents . The element of affordable housing was described as critical to the scheme .
But here it seems somewhat less relevant , despite Brown ’ s insistence that “ we don ’ t want it to be exclusively for the well-off .”
Time will tell to see if the Victoria Dock ’ s new floating village has the legs to win over its doubters and come to fruition , or indeed if it will be yet another playground for the rich , but whatever your opinion on the social implications , it certainly has the potential to become a unique new landmark and impressive design feat in the capital .
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