An approved waterside development next to Wandsworth Bridge in Fulham will now deliver 313 homes, an increase of 37 from the originally approved 274, but the affordable housing quota has been reduced from 35 per cent to 20 per cent. The changes were approved by Hammersmith and Fulham councillors at this week's Planning and Development Control Committee meeting, following amendments requested by developer Henley Investment Management.
Mayor's new guidance drives affordable housing cut
The original scheme for Albert Wharf/Swedish Wharf was granted planning permission in February 2024 and officially rubber-stamped in 2025. That approval was for 274 homes, with 35 per cent affordable and blocks up to 17 storeys tall. The developer then applied for amendments via a Section 73 application, citing changes to affordable housing quotas introduced by Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan this year.
Under the revised plans, only 20 per cent of the 313 homes will be affordable. This remains policy compliant and eligible for fast-track approval under the Mayor's new guidance, which reduced affordable housing requirements in an effort to boost London's housing supply.
Council officers had recommended approval, noting the contribution to housing targets as a key benefit. In their report, they wrote: "The s73 application proposes 20 per cent affordable housing and therefore complies with the requirements of the subsequently adopted LPG. While this is lower than the 35 per cent affordable housing secured under the 2025 permission, the proposal has been assessed against the current policy and guidance framework."
Site details and local objections
In addition to the homes, the mixed-use site will include a restaurant or café space, with the wharf safeguarded for ongoing use and a new jetty installed. The development is one of three major schemes along that stretch of the river, with the completed Fulham Riverside to the east and the former Hurlingham Retail Park redevelopment to the west.
During the consultation process, 14 objections were submitted in the first round and 56 in the second, with duplicates from 33 addresses. Cllr Amanda Lloyd-Harris, a Conservative member for Palace and Hurlingham, filed a representation noting concerns about the increased height of the main buildings.
Developer defends changes as market response
Speaking at the committee meeting, Raoul Veevers of JLL, acting as the applicant's agent, said the principle of the development had already been established by the previous approval. He noted that market conditions had changed since then, and that the amendments would make the scheme "more viable, deliverable and better designed".
"I do not need to explain to you how challenging it is to build new homes in London in the current economic climate," he said. "Our revised proposals have largely increased building height and respond directly to the Mayor's emergency housing measures."
Addressing the affordable housing reduction directly, he described the proposal as a "pragmatic policy-compliant response to current economic realities". He added: "Yes, this is a reduction from 35 per cent affordable housing, but it unlocks delivery."
No questions were asked by committee members, and the application was unanimously approved. Henley Investment Management was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
