Deputy Prime Minister launches Millennium Village

Showcase village for 21st century

Greenwich, 9 July 1997

A major development competition to create a 32-acre Millennium Village at Greenwich Peninsula was launched today by Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. John Prescott. The proposed Millennium Village will be built on the southern tip of the 300 acre site housing the millennium dome.

The competition, organised by , offers the development industry a unique opportunity to create a community built to the highest quality of architectural design, which embraces a mixed use approach, and addresses environmental and energy conservation issues.

Mr. Prescott said: 'I want to create a number of new residential communities on the Greenwich Peninsula that will represent best practice in creating a sustainable urban environment. This competition provides a golden opportunity to create a legacy for the future - a living community for a new Millennium.

'Good down-to-earth practicality combined with the daring use of imagination and innovation are the qualities we are looking for. We want to see a scheme which will provide quality homes and incorporate environmental principles such as high levels of energy and water efficiency - the kind of homes which local authorities should be thinking about as they combat housing need under the Government's Capital Receipts Initiative. Mixed use development has a particularly important role to play, making it possible for people to live close to where they work and shop and enjoy their leisure time, thereby reducing the need to travel by car.

'I hope the development industry will rise to English Partnerships' challenge and come forward with proposals for a Village which will set the tone and style for future developments on the Greenwich Peninsula - a development which will be a shining example for innovation in design across the country.'

The competition is being organised by English Partnerships, the Government's urban regeneration agency. Their task is to regenerate derelict, vacant and under-used land and buildings in partnership with public, private and voluntary sector organisations to transform areas of need into quality places for people to live and work.

The first phase of development will be completed and opened to the public on 1 December 1999.