Southwark Council will this autumn begin a public consultation on its proposals to build social housing, extra boat berths, and shops, cafes, and restaurants at South Dock Marina.

The authority’s cabinet is expected to approve the plans to go out for consultation tomorrow (September 17) on the council’s website.

The plans would see up to 157 new berths, depending on the size of the boat.

There are 146 boats at South Dock and 54 boat at Greenland Dock, which with the boatyard make up the South Dock Marina.

This comes as the waiting list for residential berths has increased year on year, a council report said.

The majority of boats on the waiting list are over 14 metres.

Any berth expansion scheme would include a review and improvements to infrastructure such as water, electricity and WiFi supply.

Parts of the boatyard are underused and could be redeveloped, the report continues.

“There is an opportunity as part of this redevelopment scheme to use the river front location of the boatyard to provide commercial units in the form of cafes and restaurants to service the river, local residents, pedestrians and commuters.

“This is an opportunity that would be of benefit to all those within the area and could in turn increase local employment opportunities and the night-time economy in the area.

“There are a number of arts and crafts businesses owned by berth holders situated within the boatyard; as such, opportunities to include venues which

champion boatyard businesses should also be explored,” it said.

Berth holders have already raised concerns about loss of river views, extra pedestrians and traffic, lack of parking and compatibility of residential and boatyard operations in a redevelopment.

But council officers will “ensure that any future proposals for a potential residential scheme will be modest in order to address the concerns previously raised by residents regarding height,” the report said.

The consultation will be based around the mini sketch masterplan.