PREPARED BY LATHAMS ON BEHALF OF BRITISH WATERWAYS (LONDON DOCKLANDS)

FINAL REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2011

REF: 6491
Waterspace and Moorings Plan
Millwall Docks, London Docklands
2 MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN
Chris Twomey BA (hons) Dip Arch RIBA
Managing Director
Lathams
St Michaels
Queen Street
Derby
DE1 3SU
United Kingdom
Tel: 01332 546 247
Fax: 01332 290 314
c.twomey@lathamarchitects.co.uk
Ordnance Survey data Crown Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
Lathams licence number 100006736.
Photographic images used throughout this document have been provided by the author or acquired
from open sources. Where copyright material has been used all reasonable effort has been employed to
acknowledge ownership.
September 2011
3 CONTENTS
Contents
Executive Summary 5
1 Introduction 7
1.1 Background 7
1.2 Purpose of the Study 7
1.3 The Brief 7
1.4 Structure of the Study 8
2 Site Overview 10
2.1 Historical Context 10
2.2 Site Context 13
2.3 West India and South Dock 14
2.4 Creating a Distinctive Character 15
2.5 Limiting Depths, Widths and Air Drafts 16
2.6 Existing Conditions 18
2.7 New & Proposed Developments 22
2.8 Access and Movement 24
2.9 Open Spaces 24
3 Vision and Concepts 26
3.1 Vision 26
3.2 Ecology 29
4 Design Elements 30
4.1 Development Proposals 30
4.2 Zone 1: Commercial zone (NW half of Millwall Inner Dock) 32
4.3 Zone 2: Leisure zone (SW half of Millwall Inner Dock) 34
4.4 Zone 3: Secondary Commercial zone (eastern half of Millwall Inner Dock) 36
4.5 Zone 4 : Leisure zone (Eastern part of Millwall Outer Dock) 38
5 Conclusion 41
5.1 Summary & Key Recommendations 41
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 44
Fig 1 - Precedent images showing life and activity on the water
West Midlands Canals Forum
10
th
November 2005
Waterside Regeneration Chris Twomey
INTRODUCTION 5
Executive Summary
A significant asset
for London
Located right next to Londons iconic Canary
Wharf, Millwall Docks represent a significant
and dramatic waterspace and a key, but
under-used asset for the capital.
Comprising both Inner and Outer Docks, the
waterspaces have huge potential for
increased water based leisure use and
associated waterside activity.

A number of user groups are already
established in the Docks, including the
Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre
(DSWC) as well as long term moorings.
This document seeks to harness the
energy and commitment of the DSWC
and other interest groups, and promote
increased use and activity in and around
the docks.
A vibrant centre for
watersports
Established in 1989 and funded by the
London Docklands Development Corporation
and the Sports Council, the DSWC is a
purpose built facility, located at the western
end of Millwall Outer Dock.

The presence of the well established club,
with its year round programme of events,
helps to define the character of the Outer
Dock - as a magnet for a wide range of
watersports, including sailing, windsurfing,
kayaking, power boating and dragon boat
racing.
Commercial activity on the
water
This document promotes the concept of a
range of water based commercial attractions,
including floating cafe/restaurants and niche
retail, as well as pontoon parks/staging and
urban greening.
With new commercial attractions located
close to South Quay station (DLR), there is
significant potential to extend the waterside
offer (A3 uses) onto the water, to add a
unique dimension to the docks.
Enhanced leisure
opportunities and mooring
provision
New moorings are proposed. A flexible and
adaptable approach is envisaged, including
modular pontoons that can be configured to
suit differing needs.
This means that, as well as providing
mooring opportunities for private craft,
pontoons can be moved around the docks
and reconfigured for special events and
activities, eg floating performance stage.
The ideas contained within this document
will set the scene for future development
in and around the docks, ensuring that
important established uses and activities
can be safeguarded, enhanced and
complemented with new activities.
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 66
Fig 2 - St. Katharine Docks
INTRODUCTION 7
1
Introduction
1.1 Background
Millwall Docks comprise the Outer and
Inner Dock. Currently under used, they
have considerable potential to play host to
new leisure and commercial opportunities,
creating an animated and vibrant waterspace
which integrates with land-side development.
Lathams has been commissioned by British
Waterways London to prepare outline
proposals and supporting information
(including a description of the existing
context, issues and opportunities), for a
waterspace strategy to include moorings
provision for a mix of craft within Millwall
Docks, London Docklands.
1.2 Purpose of the
Study
The purpose of this document is to
demonstrate the potential for a range of
waterspace uses in Millwall Docks. The
document supports LBTHs Marsh Wall
East Masterplan and will assist in future
pre-application discussions with the local
planning authority and stakeholders.
1.3 The Brief
The focus of the study is Millwall Inner
Dock, immediately south of South Quay
Station (DLR), as well as the eastern end of
Millwall Outer Dock. A number of zones are
envisaged, as follows:
1.1 Commercial zone (NW half of
Millwall Inner Dock)
Provision to be made for wide beam craft,
eg dutch barges/Thames sailing barges with
flexibility for smaller craft.
NB) The proposals should be designed to
take account of views, vistas and key routes
to and from the Millennium Quarter, ensuring
opportunities to enliven and reinvigorate the
waterspace can be maximised.
1.2 Leisure zone (SW half of Millwall
Inner Dock)
As above, proposals should cater for a range
of craft, including wide beam boats up to
30-40m length.
A floating facilities building should be
provided to accommodate toilets, showers,
refuse, etc.
NB) The recent moorings scheme in
Blackwall Basin to the north of the study area
provides a useful precedent in terms of the
anticipated type/mix of craft and facilities
provision.
1.3 Secondary Commercial zone
(eastern half of Millwall Inner Dock)
Consider relocation of existing Chinese
restaurant, with particular emphasis on
improving refuse/servicing provision to
enhance the dockside
1.4 Leisure zone (Eastern part of
Millwall Outer Dock)
Retain/enhance existing moorings in
eastern zone, ensuring that opportunities
for established sailing activities are not
compromised.

MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 88
1.4 Structure of the
Study
The proposals set out in this document are
informed by the site and its context. The
evaluation of existing social, economic and
environmental conditions has informed the
design process in establishing imaginative
and practical solutions that will help to
reinvigorate the waterspace and the
surrounding areas.
The contextual anaylsis forms the basis for
the proposals and is key to understanding
the constraints and opportunities of the
Docks. Based on this analysis, initial design
concepts and opportunities are proposed.
Precedent schemes are showcased to
promote the viability of floating structures,
ecology and the innovative nature of the
proposals to be explored.
This information then leads onto a series
of integrated solutions for the different
commercial and residential zones identified
in the brief.
Figs 3, 4, 5 - Examples of use and activity on the water
INTRODUCTION 9
Millwall Outer Dock
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Fig 6 - Local Context - Aerial Photograph
Millwall Docks study area edged in red
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 10 10
2
Site Overview
2.1 Historical Context
http://www.portcities.org.uk
With its seven windmills, the Isle of Dogs had
once been an important site for the milling
of grain. The construction of Millwall Dock
(located in the Isle of Dogs) began in June
1865 and was open to shipping by 1868.
These docks had been built specially to
handle grain imports, and offered better
facilities for unloading grain than the other
docks in London.
Millwall Docks failed to capture the large
imports of grain from North America and
instead came to specialise in imports of grain
from the Baltic. Steam vessels slowly began
to establish themselves on trade routes.
However, the width of the entrance severely
limited the type of vessels that could use the
dock.
Further works were undertaken in 1927 and
completed in 1928. These works joined
Millwall Dock to the West India Dock by
creating a new cutting allowing access to the
east side of the dock from the Isle of Dogs.
The first large mill to be built alongside any
of the London docks was the Wheatsheaf
Mill, which stood on the southern quay of
the Millwall Outer Dock. Its construction was
started in 1869 by the Manchester-based
McDougall Brothers, who had pioneered
self-raising flour five years earlier. The firm
of McDougall Brothers evolved into the first
of Britains giant flour milling concerns. They
owned several large mills elsewhere in the
country. The Wheatsheaf Mill, rebuilt several
times over the following century, became one
of the major landmarks of the Isle of Dogs.
Realising the increasing success of the grain
trade at Millwall prompted civil engineer,
Magnus Mowat, to invent new handling
and storage methods. In 1903 the Central
Granary was opened at the Millwall Dock and
used Britains first pneumatic suction elevator,
patented by Frederick Duckham, the Millwall
Dock Companys resident engineer. Three
pneumatic grain elevators were erected on
platforms 15 metres away from the jetty that
could discharge grain directly into barges
or to the granary.This revolutionized the
handling of grain, which was sucked out
instead of being scooped up by buckets as
before and greatly speeded up the unloading
of grain ships.

The Central Granary was 76 metres long,
30.5 metres wide and was designed to hold
24,000 tons of bulk grain. It had 11 floors for
storage and inspection, a delivery floor and
a basement. The granary was divided into
five compartments with vertical firewalls and
had a 20,000 gallon (91,000 litre) water tank
on the roof for fire fighting and windows for
ventilation.
In 1957, McDougall merged with Hovis to
form Hovis-McDougall. In 1961 the new
company merged with Rank to form Rank-
Hovis-McDougall (now RHM Ltd).
With the decline of the inner London docks
and the construction of the Bulk Grain
Terminal at Tilbury, both the Wheatsheaf
Mill and the Central Granary closed. Both
buildings were later demolished. RHM Ltd
now maintains large flour mills at Tilbury.
Today, whilst many of the historic buildings
have disappeared, significant heritage
assets remain, including dock walls,
mooring bollards / cleats, dockside cranes
and furniture. These can be successfully
integrated with a new and revitalised
waterspace
INTRODUCTION 11
Fig 7 -1862 The Isle of Dogs prior to the construction of Millwall Docks
Fig 8 -1885 t- Millwall Docks (note: the original entry to the Docks
was from the West
original lock
entrance
connection to
South Dock not yet
established
Fig 10 - Tall ships loading/unloading their cargo
Fig 9 -Rum Quay 1919, now Canary Wharf
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 12
Fig 12 - The suburban context of Millwall Outer Dock (vast expanse of open water)
Fig 11 - The urban context of Millwall Inner Dock (note: lack of boats / activity on the water)
SITE OVERVIEW 13
2.2 Site Context
MIllwall Inner and Outer Docks have a rather
ambiguous context. To the North, the vibrant
and hectic character of the UKs largest and
most significant business district is apparent,
thus giving the dock a very urban and
energetic setting. By contrast, the Outer Dock
is expansive and quiet, with the capacity to
take larger vessels. Its physical connection
to Mudchute Park and the low-rise residential
developments gives it an altogether different
feel, almost tranquil.
The two main perpendicular axes of the
docks become two very distinct entities; the
North/South high density urban, and the East/
West low density, almost suburban. There is
little integration between the two docks.
As a result of the differences in urban scale,
the docks seem caught between both
environments, not able to fully belong to
either. The very nature of the water body
creates a sense of void within the city that
provides a social / visual relief space for
local residents and workers but without many
designated areas to enjoy this exciting space.
Activity is restricted to the fringes of the
docks. Pedestrian use is limited with few
destinations around the docks to aim for.
Surrounding Development
There are a number of new developments
around Millwall Docks which are helping to
redefine and promote the waterspace as an
extension of the business district but also as
a place to live. The Millharbour Quarter and
Ballymore developments that abut the Inner
Dock emphasise the ambitious regeneration
that is taking place in the Tower Hamlets
district.
The aim of this study is to highlight the
potential for enhancing the activity and
vibrancy of the docks and help to realise
the potential opportunities that the new
developments (and their associated footfall)
will bring.
Water-based Activity
At present, water-based activities are
minimal. There are several static/floating
commercial uses, eg. the Chinese Restaurant
(see fig x) and the Ballymore Marketing Suite
within the Inner Dock, as well as several long
term moorings situated at the North-East side
of the Outer Dock.
Consideration should be given to improving
Clippers Quay (currently under used) and
bridge, South of Millwall Outer Dock. Outside
the ownership of British Waterways, this is
a place that could add to the overall Docks
offer.
NB) Clippers Quay already has pontoons,
although existing access restrictions appear
to preclude its use for moorings.
11
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MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 14
2.3 West India and South
Dock
Although connected, West India/South Dock
is distinctly different to Millwall Docks due to
the size and types of vessel that dominate
the waterspace. The limiting widths and
air draught of Millwall Cutting restrict boat
access to Millwall Docks and results in a
drastic contrast in scale and use between the
neighbouring bodies of water.
NB) Refer to limiting widths, depths and air
draughts on pages 14-15.
The large scale commercial vessels and
naval ships that use West India and South
Dock are impressive in size and stature.
Canary Wharf appropriately provides the
backdrop to the Dock and the large craft that
occupy it.
South Dock Millwall Dock
Fig 13 - simple sketch comparison to illustrate scale
difference of craft using the docks
Fig 14, 15, 16 - examples of larger scale
vessels in South Dock
SITE OVERVIEW 15
2.4 Creating a
Distinctive Charater
Millwall Docks has the potential to create a
vibrant and distinctive character of its own,
one that complements its surroundings and
provides additional commercial and leisure
opportunities on the waterspace.
Useful precedent includes St Katharine
Docks, near Tower Bridge - a good example
of the unique and exciting small scale
atmosphere that can be created within a
very prominent setting. Nestled in the heart
of the city of London, St Katharine Docks
accommodates a large number of yachts,
cruisers and historic barges. With an array
of commercial and leisure facilities in and
around the Dock, it is an attractive venue for
private and corporate events.
Blackwall Basin is also home to the type and
size of craft that are envisaged at Millwall
Inner and Outer Docks.
Nearby Poplar Dock also offers a mix of
residential mooring opportunities, easily
accessible from the Thames via Blackwall
Basin.
Fig 17 - St Katharine Docks
Fig 18 - Blackwall Basin
Fig 19 - Poplar Dock
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 16
2.5 Limiting Depths,
Widths and Air
Draughts
Within West India & Millwall Docks, there are
depth, width and height restrictions in various
locations.
As at September 2011, the following
restrictions were in place:
Location Limiting Width (m) Limiting Depth (m)
1. Millwall Cutting 23 3.5
2. Millwall Bridge 11 3.5
3. Glengall Bridge 11 3.5
4. Heron Quay Canal 9.7 2.4
5. Bellmouth Passage 14.8 4.4
Location Air Draft (m)
Millwall Cutting 1.17
Millwall Inner 8.2
Glengall Bridge (sides) 1
Glengall Bridge (middle) 2.1
Maximum Craft Dimensions Length (m) Beam (m) Draft
West India Dock 178 24.4 9
Fig 20 - Limiting depths, widths and air drafts
SITE OVERVIEW 17
Fig 21 - Plan of Limiting Depths, Widths and Air Drafts
Millwall Outer Dock
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MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 18
2.6 Existing Conditions
Fig. xxii - South Quay Station from Harbour
Exchange Square
Fig. xxiii - Detail of the new Baltimore Wharf
development
Fig. xxiv - Quayside detail of new Pan
Penisula development
Fig. xxv - View from the DLR South Quay
Station platform
Fig. xxvi - Existing moorings in the outer dock
(note unsightly flotsam and jetsam)
Fig. xxvii - Public realm amenity
Fig. xxviii - Refuse provision for boaters
creates visual barrier between water space
and quayside/public realm
22
23
Fig 22
24
Fig 23
Fig 24
SITE OVERVIEW 19
26
25
27
28
Fig 25
Fig 26
Fig 27 Fig 28
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 20
Existing Conditions
FIg. xxix - Iconic Cranes of Millwall Docks
Fig. xxx - Historic Chimney forms distinctive
marker at the edge of the Outer Dock
Fig. xxxi - Docklands Sailing & Watersports
Centre activities
Fig. xxxii - Raft racing at Docklands Sailing &
Watersports Centre
Fig. xxxiii - The Urban versus domestic scale
of the Outer Dock
Fig. xxxiv - Dutch barge moored in Millwall
Outer Dock
Fig. xxxv - Dockside Cranes
30 29 31
Fig 29
Fig 30
Fig 31
SITE OVERVIEW 21
32 & 35
34
33
Fig 32
Fig 33
Fig 34 Fig 35
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 22
2.7 New & Proposed
Developments
There are a large number of prominent
buildings and developments planned and
under construction around Millwall Docks.
The Millennium Quarter and Marsh Wall
East Masterplans are both directly linked
to the waterspace from the West and East
respectively.
With an influx of capital being invested in
the area, the time is right for a revitalisation
of Millwall Inner and Outer Docks, enabling
them to benefit from, and contribute to, the
economic growth of the area.
Any development of the Docks themselves
will need to be integrated well into the
context of the surrounding developments,
thus producing a coherent and meaningful
response to the immediate environment.
Fig 36 - Ballymore marketing suite with hospitality
launch
Fig 37 - proposed skyscraper in the Marsh Wall East
Masterplan (image from ballymore.co.uk)
Fig 38 - View from the north west corner of Baltimore Wharf (image from .ballymore.co.uk)
SITE OVERVIEW 23
Millennium
Quarter
Wood Wharf
Skylines
Village
Cubitt Town
Redevelopment
Baltimore
Wharf
Fig 39 - Development Context
Marsh Wall East
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 24
2.8 Access and
Movement
Millwall Docks is very well connected to the
wider context of Canary Wharf and the city of
London. The DLR line runs past the Northern
and Eastern edges of the docks. The South
Quay station platform above Marsh Wall
provides an expansive view of the docks, all
the way down to Glengall Bridge in the south
and beyond.
With key developments under construction,
the connectivity of the docks will inevitably
increase. Footfall to the waterside will
intensify to and from the main public
transport terminals and much care should
be taken in improving conditions along these
routes.
2.9 Open Spaces
With the exception of Mudchute Park to the
South East of the Outer Dock, the number of
green open spaces around Millwall Docks is
very limited. British Waterways is committed
to providing natural habitats and ecological
benefits to the water systems of the UK
and see Millwall Docks as an opportunity
to encourage wildlife and introduce a more
dynamic and greener environment, as part of
future development in the surrounding area.
Planned open spaces, as featured in the
Millennium Quarter, for example, will help
alleviate the hard sterility of the urban
environment and provide attractive amenity
space for residents and visitors alike.
This will help promote the area as an
attraction and increase pedestrian footfall,
supported by the potential for commercial
uses in and around the waterspace.
Legend
Existing Green Open Spaces
Proposed Planting
Main Roads
DLR
Pedestrian
Cycle
SITE OVERVIEW 25
Fig 40 - Plan of Circulation Routes & Green Open Spaces
Crossharbour
South Quays
Mudchute
Heron Quays
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 26
Opportunities
Commercial zone (NW half of Millwall Inner Dock)
anchor tenant (eg. floating bar/restaurant) with generous
external seating area and controlled access to moorings for circa 10-12
commercial/retail craft, eg. florist, news/con kiosk, floating bakery?, etc.
The relocation of the existing marketing suite should be considered
Leisure zone (SW half of Millwall Inner Dock)
Mooring provision for a mix of leisure craft
Mooring pontoons incorporating reed boxes to encourage wildlife and
promote urban greening, associated with the commercial moorings
Fully serviced moorings with facilities, eg drainage, electricity & water
Consider enlivening dead waterspace - north western part of outer dock
up to Pointe North)
Secondary Commercial zone (eastern half of Millwall Inner Dock)
Consider relocation of existing Chinese restaurant, with particular reference
to improving refuse/servicing provision and access to enhance the
dockside
Scope to enhance existing water based development and other
complementary water based activities
Consider other commercial uses, eg bar / restaurant etc.
Leisure zone (Eastern part of Millwall Outer Dock)
Safeguard open water characteristics - ie. active waterspace
Promote and encourage Watersports Centre activities
Retain existing moorings (north eastern zone)
Consider provision/rationalisation of moorings in eastern zone, ensuring
that opportunities for established sailing activities are not compromised
Scope to extend some activities, eg canoeing, into Millwall Inner Dock
Consider water taxi services throughout the Docklands area
Promote events, performances and festivals on and around the waterspace
(eg. Greenwich and Docklands Festival)
3.1 Vision
Millwall Docks demands a more creative approach to the utilisation of its
assets than exists at present. It is a prime location and point of connection
with West India Docks.
The main aim is to enliven Millwall Docks. To make use of the expansive
body of water within the urban context by providing a dynamic variety of
facilities and places for people to live, work and enjoy. The key opportunities
are summarised below:
3
Vision & Concepts
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Legend
Commercial zone 1 Leisure zone 2 Secondary Commercial zone 3 Leisure zone 4
SITE OVERVIEW 27
Fig 41 - Zoning diagram (note: these are not prescriptive and could be expanded & contracted to adapt to market conditions)
MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN 28
Fig 42 - View of Inner Dock with Harbour Island in the foreground
3.2 Ecology
The waterspace currently provides limited
opportunities for ecology. Floating habitats
are currently found within the Docks, however
these wooden pallet-like rafts appear out of
context with their surroundings. They do not
provide the visual relief and environmental
impact that is desired.
There may be scope to incorporate a more
integrated reedbed system within the Docks.
Larger and more diverse floating reed beds,
introduced as part of a commercial moorings
scheme, will not only help clean the water,
but will also introduce much needed habitats
to the waterspace.
The examples below (Figs xliii & xliv) show
how these floating reedbeds could look
how they can improve water quality whilst
providing habitats for birds and other wildlife.
SITE OVERVIEW 29
Fig 43 - Existing poor condition of reed beds in Millwall Inner Dock
Fig45 - Detail of reed bed. Source: floatingislandinternational.com Fig 44 - Innovative use of
floating reed systems. Source:
ukwetlands.co.uk
30 30 MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN
4
Design Elements
4.1 Development
Proposals
The proposals detailed in this section tackle
the somewhat sterile environment of Millwall
Docks as a means of creating exciting
commercial opportunities in and around the
waterspace.
Having considered the various issues
concerning the site and its context, a
comprehensive strategy for the regeneration
of Millwall Docks is proposed. This approach
aims to:
- attract commercial opportunities to the
docks
- provide leisure / recreational activities
on the water
- maintain important vistas and visual
connections
- provide new moorings with amenities
and facilities
- enhance ecology and promote Millwall
Docks as a green space.
- increase connectivity
By maintaining a 25m clear navigation
channel, opportunities will be created for
shared use of the water, eg canoeing/rowing
in the Inner Dock, as well as mooring
provision.
The suggested mix of commercial and leisure
moorings will create varied and vibrant
waterside activity and will fully integrate the
Docks into their wider context.
DESIGN ELEMENTS 31
4
Design Elements
Fig 46 - Indicative Waterspace Masterplan
Pedestrian Connections
Visual Connections
Active Water Frontage
Docklands
Watersports
Centre
32 32 MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN
4.2 Zone 1 - Commercial
The approach in Zone 1 aims to create an
exciting and dynamic blend of retail and
commercial opportunities on the water.
Prospective operators / tenants will benefit
from large pontoons which link to the
quayside and green open space of the
proposed Millennium Quarter development.
The provision of seating and green spaces
will help merge land and water based
activities.
The transition between land and water that
pedestrians will experience will be dramatic,
with the landing stages providing a calm and
reflective environment which is enlivened by
the vibrant mix of craft and the substantial
reed bed systems adjacent.
Secondary commercial barges are shown
moored along a floating street which
encourages pedestrians to walk along the
pontoons as part of the experience.
Additional wildlife habitats are proposed
along the existing fixed structure on the East
side (Harbour Exchange Square) to soften
this and promote connections to the water.
Fig 47 - Zone 1
DESIGN ELEMENTS 33
Floating habitats enliven
edges and encourage
wildlife
Dynamic pontoon arrangement
creating amenity space for
commercial tenants
Commercial Craft
dimensions approx:
25-35m Length
4-7m Beam
Floating Park? - connection to
Millennium Quarter planned
green space
4
0
m
25m clear width
Pedestrian Connections
Visual Connections
Fig 48 - Zone 1 Indicative Plan 1:1000
Habitat enhancement for
pontoons
34 34 MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN
4.3 Zone 2 - Leisure
Moorings
Building on the proposals for the commercial
zone, this area is designated for private
moorings for a variety of leisure craft, offering
more generous amenity space for boaters.
The landscaping between the dock edge
and the pontoons will increase privacy for
the moorings whilst also increasing wildlife
habitats.
Reed beds can be accommodated in unused
moorings on a temporary basis. Their
modular construction will enable them to be
relocated in and around the dock as demand
for moorings grows.
Floating facilities / pavilions will cater for
boaters needs, including wcs, showers,
water, drainage and electricity.
Fig 49 - Zone 2
DESIGN ELEMENTS 35
Floating habitats enliven
edges and encourage
wildlife
Pontoon arrangement
creates amenity space for
tenants
Leisure Craft
dimensions approx:
15-25m Length
4-5.5m Beam
Waterfront activity increased
25m clear width
Leisure Craft
dimensions approx:
15-40m Length
4-7m Beam
Pedestrian Connections
Visual Connections
Fig 50 - Zone 2 Indicative Plan 1:1000
Floating facilities pavilion
36 36 MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN
4.4 Zone 3 - Secondary
Commercial
(eastern half of Millwall Inner Dock)
This area features the relocated Chinese
restaurant, with particular emphasis on
improving refuse/servicing provision to
enhance the dockside.
Proposals also include enhancement of
existing water based development, including
the relocation of the Baltimore marketing
suite and other complementary water based
activities.
The secondary commercial zone is similar
to Zone 1 with tenants / craft based around
a pontoon layout that includes generous
amenity space and incorporates reed
beds. The floating street will encourage
pedestrians to walk onto the pontoons
and engage with the water, as an attractive
contrast to the dockside walk.
DESIGN ELEMENTS 37
Floating habitats enliven
edges and encourage
wildlife
Dynamic pontoon arrangement
creating amenity space for
commercial tenants
Floating restaurant relocated
and redesigned to focus more
on waterspace (including
screening of refuse / storage
areas)
Hospitality Launch
Floating Baltimore Marketing
Suite relocated
Pedestrian Connections
Visual Connections
Fig 51 - Zone 3 Indicative Plan 1:1000
Floating kiosk
38 38 MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN
4.5 Zone 4 - Leisure
Moorings
(Eastern part of Millwall Outer
Dock)
This zone includes the retention/
enhancement of private long term moorings,
including residential, ensuring that
opportunities for established sailing activities
are not compromised.

There is scope to extend some activities, eg
canoeing or rowing, into Millwall Inner Dock,
as well as promoting high profile festivals and
events.
Opportunities also exist to create water taxi
stops (eg. linking commercial zones east and
west) and potentially improving wider links to
Canary Wharf, Wood Wharf, etc.
Fig 52 - Images of Greenwich and Docklands International Festival
DESIGN ELEMENTS 39
Views to open expanse
of water with good
pedestrian access to dock
edge
Existing moorings
20 - 30m in length
Pedestrian Connections
Visual Connections
Fig 53 - Zone 4 Indicative Plan 1:1000
Unrestricted views across
open waterspace from
existing cantilevered
viewing deck
Opportunities for
temporary pontoons and
staging to support events
and activities
40 40 MILLWALL DOCKS - WATERSPACE AND MOORINGS PLAN
Fig 54 - Millwall Inner Dock - a significant opportunity exiists to embrace the reflective, but largely vacant waterspace
CONCLUSION 41
5
Conclusion
5.1 Key
Recommendations
As the photograph adjacent illustrates, the
reinvigoration of Millwall Docks will enable a
largely under utilised, but highly significant
asset, to be transformed into an active and
attractive public space.
As outlined in this document, a number of
opportunities exist to bring life, colour and
vibrancy to the waterspace, creating scope
for commercial activity, enhancing leisure and
tourism opportunities.
In unlocking the full potential of Millwall
Docks, consideration should be given to
existing uses and activities to ensure these
can be supported and enhanced through
new proposals.
The next steps will involve dialogue with
the local planning authority and community
stakeholders, as well as potential operators.
The successful animation of the
waterspace, through the introduction of
mooring opportunities and increased
activity will help to safeguard the future
of Millwall Docks. These proposals bring
scope for increased revenue generation
and will provide leisure, recreation and
biodiversity enhancements that will
benefit both visitors to the area and the
local community.