A rich history spanning 50 years
In 2014 Trust Thamesmead and Tilfen Land (previous owners and managers of the land and assets) were taken over by Peabody. This meant that much of the town's housing, community investment activities and over 200 acres of developable land became owned by a single, well-resourced body for the first time in a generation.
As Thamesmead's main landowner, Peabody is driving the town's regeneration in collaboration London Borough of Bexley, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Greater London Authority and Transport for London.
London Borough of Bexley - incorporates the eastern side of Thamesmead, including parts of North Thamesmead and all of South Thamesmead. Projects here include Abbey Wood and South Thamesmead Housing Zone, public realm improvements along Harrow Manorway and other projects such as improvements to the ridgeway path.
Royal Borough of Greenwich - incorporates the western side of Thamesmead, including West Thamesmead, Central Thamesmead and parts of North Thamesmead. Projects here include Abbey Wood, Plumstead and West Thamesmead Housing Zone, improvements to the Thames Path and neighbourhood improvements at The Moorings.
Greater London Authority - providing £47.5 million investment to deliver two Housing Zones in Thamesmead as part of the Mayor of London's Housing Zone programme. Combined, the Abbey Wood, West Thamesmead and Plumstead, and the Abbey Wood and South Thamesmead Housing Zones will deliver over 2,500 new homes by 2026.
Transport for London - a key partner in delivering new transport infrastructure to help unlock Thamesmead's full potential. This includes taking forward the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead and the operation of the new Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) service at Abbey Wood from December 2018.
A Clockwork Orange
Though filmed in locations across London, Stanley Kubrick's dystopian cult classic is most commonly associated with Thamesmead due to that scene shot at South Thamesmead's Southmere Lake. The film certainly caused a few ripples, perpetuating a negative image of the area and locals were understandably upset. As time has moved on so has Thamesmead, and A Clockwork Orange now lends the town something of an artistic edge.
Beautiful Thing
A beautiful story about of self-discovery, Beautiful Thing shows South Thamesmead at its best, casting a warm glow over the concrete buildings, parks and community.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoneix
Thamesmead was selected by Warner Bros to be one of a handful of locations used in the film.
Kaiser Chiefs music video
British rockers, the Kaiser Chiefs filmed the music video to their single 'Never Miss a Beat' in Thamesmead. Filming took place along Harrow Manor Way - including at the Tavy Bridge, Binsey Walk, Southmere Lake and the Barge Pole pub (now demolished).
Misfits
Channel 4’s BAFTA-award winning show Misfits was filmed on location across Thamesmead over the course of four series, with the Lakeside Centre serving as the community centre. It follows five outsiders on a community service who get struck by a flash storm and are gifted with special powers.
The Script music video
The Script filmed their music video, Millionaires along Yarnton Way and in Abbey Wood.
In April 2014, Trust Thamesmead and Tilfen Land merge with Peabody.
Victor Frankenstein
A-listers James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe filmed this creepy drama at North Thamesmead's Crossness Pumping Station – the Victorian, Grade I listed 'Cathedral on the Marsh'. Pop along and see if you can find some of the creepy props they left behind.
Initial consultation began on West Thamesmead Gateway.
The Friends of Tump 53 community group was set up with a mission to bring Thamesmead's historic nature reserve back into use. The group is led by local community members, with support from Peabody and the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Gallions Reach Park was opened by Peabody. Created from land left vacant from the former Royal Arsenal, the park offers a new natural habitat environment with wildflower meadows and 800 new trees including black poplar, white poplar, hornbeam, silver birch, ash and Turkey Oak.
Housing associations, Peabody and Family Mosaic merge to create a new Peabody. Working across 21 locations in London and the South East, Peabody now own and manage more than 55,000 homes, providing affordable housing for around 111,000 people.
Re-launch of Tump 53.
The A-Z Culture Guide produced by Peabody to outline what’s already happening, and to give Thamesmead residents a voice in the future.
Thamesmead Festival 2017 – shortlisted for London First Awards in the ‘Contribution to London’s Cultural Excellence’ category.
Started onsite at Southmere Village where the building contractor, Durkan began preparing the site.
Byron Close Arches won the Wayfinding & Environmental Graphics category in the Design Week Awards 2018.
Topping out event at The Reach to celebrate the last brick being layed. Work will now start on fitting the windows, doors and so on, with the new homes expected to be complete in June 2019.
Over 5,500 people from the local community came out to celebrate Thamesmead’s 50th birthday festival on Saturday 14 July around Southmere Lake.
TACO! launched a new radio station for Thamesmead in mid-October.
Peabody has selected Lendlease as Preferred Bidder for the £8bn, 11,500 home, Thamesmead Waterfront development.
The Thamesmead Community Fund awards grants from £200 up to £2,000 to individuals and organisations to deliver cultural or community projects to benefit Thamesmead’s residents.
The Reach, a 66 home, 100% affordable development, is completed. The first development in one of Thamesmead’s two housing zones.
We've formed a joint venture partnership with international property and infrastructure group, Lendlease, to deliver a c.£8bn development at Thamesmead Waterfront.
The 50:50 joint venture company that we have formed will help us work together on the planning and delivery of this transformational scheme, which will deliver a minimum of 11,500 homes and make a significant contribution to the continuing economic regeneration of east London and the Thames Estuary.
Southmere Village takes another important step forward last month with the marking of a key milestone in the delivery of hundreds of new homes.
A new playground in the Moorings was opened in November, with the Moorings Ward Councillors; Councillor Averil Lekau, Councillor Sizwe James and Councillor Olu Babatola.
Thamesmead's first every light fesitval takes place.
Residents vote in favour of plans to regenerate Lesnes Estate and create new, high-quality and energy efficient homes.
The Thamesmead Open, an ambitious, open call, international art competition open's and is designed to establish the area as a cultural destination and innovator.
The Thamesmead Community Archive is launched to celebrate the area's rich heritage.