Welcome to our information hub for Rotherhithe Reach, Salter Road.
Notting Hill Genesis is pleased to update that it is intending to commence activity on site, after having gained planning permission for its proposals in November 2024. Information about the development can be found by accessing Southwark Council’s online planning register, searching planning reference number 24/AP/0753.
View From Across Surrey Water
Project Community Liaison Plan
If you would like to read our Project Community Liaison Plan for the ground investigation and enabling works periods of the project, you can click the button below. The document outlines the community liaison framework and our activities with the community to date.
Remediation Strategy Webinar – April 2026
In April 2026, we held a webinar to share the proposed Remediation Strategy for the Rotherhithe Reach site. The webinar covered the findings of the Ground Investigation works carried out in late 2025, the proposed approach to remediation, the measures in place to protect residents during the works, and the wider project programme.
The Ground Investigation results were encouraging, confirming that only limited remediation is required on site. The Remediation Strategy has been submitted to the London Borough of Southwark for approval, with remediation works expected to commence in summer 2026. You can view a recording of the webinar, the presentation slides presented, as well as a list of questions and answers from the session.
Remediation Strategy – Frequently Asked Questions
Following the completion of the Ground Investigation works in late 2025, the findings have been analysed and used to inform the project’s Remediation Strategy. The Strategy sets out the measures that will be taken to prepare the site for development and has been submitted to the London Borough of Southwark for approval. We have provided a brief FAQ section below to provide more detail on what the Remediation Strategy involves, how the works will be managed, and how local impacts will be mitigated.
Air Quality, Odour & Monitoring
We have prepared an Air Quality and Odour Management Plan covering all stages of the works.
The contractor team will have real-time data from a portable, handled devices called Photoionization Detectors (PIDs) which will be used to collect Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) readings, sampled at six boundary locations around the site.
Cover systems will be in place over odorous materials; and sealed wagons for all off-site disposal.
If alert levels are reached, works will stop. Thresholds are set to protect those living close to the site; however, the overall risk is considered minimal.
Both. PID probes will be used for real-time readings, with boundary walks twice daily.
Weekly laboratory sampling provides a retrospective check to double check initial findings.
We take all reports of odour seriously.
If you notice a persistent or strong smell, please record the time and location, let us know via the project contact details, and report it to Southwark Council’s Environmental Health team on 0207 525 5777 or email noiseandnuisance@southwark.gov.uk . If you suspect a gas leak, contact Southern Gas Networks directly on 0800 111 999
Any smell in the area may have other causes, such as the nearby gas pumping station or current roadworks, and does not automatically indicate a health risk.
Please use the community liaison number and email on all project communications or contact the site manager directly via the number displayed at the site entrance. You can also contact Southwark Council’s Environmental Health team, copying us in. We will follow up with the contractor promptly.
All monitoring data will be publicly available in the verification report. We are happy to share data periodically during works and will explore options for broader real-time access with the remediation contractor, reporting back at the next webinar.
Contamination & Hotspots
Removing the hotspots now is the safest approach for both current neighbours and future residents.
Short-term, controlled excavation with real-time monitoring in place carries far less risk than leaving contaminated soil where it could affect groundwater or be inhaled by future occupants over many years.
Works will stop immediately if any alert level is reached.
The site was not majorly contaminated.
The ground investigation found contaminants typical of a former gas works, principally polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
No tar or oil was found.
Groundwater and ground gas impact were both very limited, and the risk assessment confirms the site is suitable for development once the remediation strategy is implemented.
Each hotspot will be excavated and removed from site in sealed wagons.
The larger hotspot will have additional controls in place during excavation, including damping down, foam suppression and real-time PID monitoring.
Excavation will pause if any monitoring level is exceeded, and the amount of material exposed at any one time will be kept to a minimum.
No. Surrey Water is at a higher level than the groundwater on our site and is not connected to it. Removing the hotspot eliminates any groundwater risk to the Thames.
Groundwater & Environment Agency Approval
We are confident the strategy will be approved. We engaged the Environment Agency and Southwark’s contaminated land officer throughout the ground investigation, sharing plans and seeking agreement at every stage.
If the Environment Agency does raise concerns we will respond accordingly, from additional hotspot removal at the lower end to groundwater remediation in a worst case.
We will not begin works until the position is resolved with the Environment Agency. Any significant change will be communicated to residents promptly.
The remediation strategy has been submitted to Southwark Council.
Once validated the following documents will be publicly available on Southwark’s planning portal:
- the Ground Investigation Interpretive Report;
- the Controlled Waters Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment;
- and the Remediation Strategy, which includes the Air Quality and Odour Management Plan.
We will share the link with residents as soon as it is available.
Our assessment is that active groundwater remediation is not required once the identified hotspots are removed. We are currently working with the Environment Agency to finalise this position, including discussing whether additional groundwater and controlled waters monitoring is needed to confirm our conclusions. Remediation works will not begin until the strategy is approved by Southwark Council.
Vibration & Structural Surveys
We have commissioned a specialist consultant to survey adjoining properties before works begin and will address any changes in condition directly with owners.
Before works commence, our appointed demolition and enabling works contractor will produce a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) in line with Southwark Council’s guidelines, detailing how noise, vibration and dust will be monitored and mitigated against. Works will not begin until this is submitted and approved by Southwark Council.
Adjoining owners have already been contacted by our survey consultant. If you have not heard from us and are concerned, please get in touch via the project website.
Construction Traffic, Access & Parking
Lorry movements for contaminated soil removal will be minimal, approximately 10 to 12 loads in total, as most soil will be reused on site. All vehicles will be routed via Brunel Road; there is no intention to use Kinburn Street.
A full Construction Logistics Plan, including a lorry booking system, will be approved by Southwark Council before works start and published for residents to view. All works will be carried out in full accordance with the approved outline Construction Logistics Plan (CLP).
A lorry booking and management system will control site access. We are aware this has been an issue on nearby developments and take it seriously. If you see a driver ignoring instructions, please contact the project telephone number or email and we will act immediately.
Yes. Anti-idling requirements will be written into the contractor’s arrangements, and the booking system will minimise waiting time on the road. We acknowledge this was an issue during ground investigation works and are committed to ensuring it does not happen again.
Saturday Working & Resident Notification
Standard working hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Saturday working may occasionally be needed but will not be routine, and we commit to giving residents proper advance notice. Friday-afternoon notification for the following day is not acceptable and will be avoided.
Wildlife & Ecology
We have appointed an ecology specialist to advise us and will manage the relocation of wildlife carefully as the site is cleared, in line with their guidance.
Independent Expert & Resident Representation
At residents’ request, Southwark Council appointed an independent technical expert to review all reports and the draft remediation strategy on their behalf. The expert will hold a separate session for residents with detailed technical questions and reports to Southwark Council, not to Notting Hill Genesis or the project team.
Project Programme, Future Events & General
Remediation strategy submitted to Southwark: April 2026. Contractor appointed: following Southwark approval. Gas holder demolished: summer 2026. Main contractor on site: end of 2026, with the development completing approximately two years later.
Yes. We will hold a resident event with the contractor in attendance before any works begin, expected around summer 2026.
The contractor will present their approach and answer questions, and the Construction Environmental Management Plan will be available on the council’s planning portal beforehand.
Yes. The wall is being retained in full, with three openings created to provide pedestrian access between the development and Surrey Water.
Yes. The plan will be submitted to Southwark Council for approval and published on the council’s planning portal before works start and will be presented and discussed at the next resident webinar.
Ground Investigation Works Webinar – November 2025
In November 2025, we held a webinar to explain the Ground Investigation (GI) works that were about to take place on site. The webinar covered the purpose of the investigations, what the works would involve, how any impacts would be managed, and how we would share findings with the local community.
The GI works commenced on site on 17 November 2025 and were completed in December 2025. You can view the presentation slides from the webinar below, as well as the frequently asked questions and answers from the session.
To view the webinar slides, please click the link below.
Ground Investigations – Frequently Asked Questions
The Ground Investigations are required to confirm the makeup of the ground which will help us inform the structural design of the development. It will also help us determine whether there are contaminants in the ground, and develop a detailed understanding beyond the desktop studies that were carried out in 2024.
By assessing any potential sources of contamination, which were previously identified via desktop study, we will then be able to inform the scheme’s remediation strategy when we build out the site. This will include how any local impacts for residents are managed.
The works involve the installation of 11 boreholes, together with a number of trial pits to help us understand the ground composition and obtain samples for testing, Excavations will also help us understand, in more detail, the extent of the historic structures on site.
Ground Investigations will commence on site from Monday 17th November, and are scheduled to be complete in mid-December. Works will be carried between typical working hours of 08:00-17:00, Mondays to Fridays.
The Environment Agency, and Southwark Council have been notified of our planned works, which are being undertaken under Permitted Development Rights.
Drilling through made ground will be undertaken using water both to aid the drilling process and to damp down any arisings. We would expect any soil from the boreholes to be contained around the rig and not to become airborne.
Lowick has been appointed by NHG as Community Liaison Officer for the Ground Investigations period. If you wish to make contact on Rotherhithe Reach, we ask that you make contact with Lowick as the first point of contact, using the details below:
- Email: hello@rotherhithereach.co.uk
- Telephone: 0800 061 4770
The email address and phone line are monitored 09:00 – 18:00, Monday to Friday. The aim will be to acknowledge receipt of all emails within two working days. The Community Liaison Officer will do its best to respond to all correspondence within ten working days of receipt, and often will be quicker though may rely on input from wider team members to inform the response.
In an emergency, such as criminal activity or an emergency situation affecting any Rotherhithe Reach asset owned, or managed by NHG, then please contact the relevant emergency services (999) or Southwark Council Environmental Health team.
We would also be happy to signpost you to any specific documents where we have provided technical responses to queries you may have.
From w/c 17 November, the site team, led by Harrison, will be mobilising on site. From the following week, w/c 24 November, ground investigation activity, such as drilling of bore holes, and trial pitting will commence. This will be conducted in an orderly manner so that the site is not fully dug or worked at once.
Following completion of the Ground Investigation works, we expect that clearance of low-level ground scrub vegetation will take place in early 2026. Once the remediation plans are approved by LBS, we hope to commence the demolition of the gas holder and start remediation in spring/summer 2026.
Yes. While ground investigations inherently explore unknown conditions, which may lead to delays or require further monitoring, our current programme remains achievable. We are working towards completing the remediation strategy by the end of March 2026, with the associated planning conditions expected to be discharged by the end of May 2026.
Should delays be encountered, we will ensure that regular updates are provided on our website (www.rotherhithereach.co.uk),
Yes, once boreholes are in place, groundwater will be monitored and sampled.
We will share the findings as part of notifying LBS of our remediation plans for the site, which we expect to be in a position to do by Easter.
It is important that we agree any future remediation plans with LBS, which is conditional upon what, if anything, the Ground Investigation surveys reveal. Before we get to this stage, we must identify what lies underneath the ground, have materials tested, wait for the results to be analysed, and then prepare a report based on the evidence provided to us.
This is dependent on what contaminants, if any, we find when undertaking our ground investigation works. Our remediation options will be considered once our ground investigation has taken place.
This dependent on the level of contamination we find during the Ground Investigation works. We expect to have our laboratory results published by Q2 2026. This will inform our remediation strategy and the scope and length of works to remediate the site.
Capping is a remediation technique that involves placing a layer of low-permeability material over a contaminated substance to physically isolate it from the environment.
Capping of the site is one of several remediation options that could be considered in our Remediation Strategy. Any options we take will be informed following the completion of the forthcoming Ground Investigation works and risk assessment.
We are committed to ensuring that our remediation activities do not adversely affect groundwater or waters draining into surface water systems. To achieve this, a range of mitigation measures will be implemented throughout the remediation process and any hazardous substances found managed in accordance with COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations.
Based on the historical use of these gasholders, possible contaminants may be present at the base of the gasholders. A small amount of coal tar sludge was identified at the base of Gasholder No.2 and therefore, the substance’s presence cannot be ruled out in the existing Gasholder No.3. No substances, however, were found in Gasholder No. 1 during previous ground investigations. It is also possible that waste products from the gas production process may also have been stored within the gasholders, following their decommissioning.
Yes, we will need to clear some vegetation on site. Vegetation clearance will be limited to borehole locations and will adhere to the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) in place on site.
There is an approved Arboriculturist Method Statement commissioned by Notting Hill Genesis, which outlines tree protection measures. These will be put in place before the demolition and enabling works commence.
Following the completion of the Ground Investigation, we are anticipating that further low level ground scrub will also be cleared in the new year in preparation for demolition and remediation works planned to commence in spring/summer 2026.
During comprehensive bat surveys conducted on site between May and July 2023, a very low level of bat activity was recorded overall. The highest level of activity within the site was associated with boundary scrub located to the east, specifically to the south-east of the gasholder. More broadly, the greatest overall bat activity was observed along the tree line to the eastern edge of the site.
Mitigation measures concerning lighting and landscaping will be implemented throughout both the construction and operational phases. These steps are designed to minimise the impact of the proposed works on bats. As a result, with these mitigations in place, the long-term effects on bats are not anticipated to be significant.
The bat survey undertaken at the planning stage has incorporated measures to limit the impact on bats during the construction works. These recommendations include the control of construction light levels, and they will be put into effect once construction commences next year.
Records of badger sett locations are generally kept confidential to protect the species, in line with national planning guidance and best practice, and were not provided in the data search. No evidence of badgers, such as setts or other secondary indicators, was observed during the recent autumn 2025 survey, either within the site itself or in the surrounding 30 metres, where access was possible. The site’s topography offers limited potential for sett building, and as such, it is considered to provide negligible potential for badgers on site.
We understand that foxes have been sited around Salter Road and will take their presence on site seriously. Ground Investigation works will be carefully managed to minimise disturbance. All works will take place during the daytime, avoiding periods when foxes are typically active at night. Ecological checks will be carried out in advance to ensure no active dens are present, and if any are identified, buffer zones and adjusted working methods will be put in place.