£3bn facelift by Hipster Express

A ruN-down corner of south-east London looks likely to be transformed into a bustling neighbourhood with thousands of homes, shops and offices in a £3bn overhaul.

British Land has submitted a planning application to redevelop a 53-acre site at Canada Water next to the railway dubbed ‘the Hipster express’ because of its links to Hoxton and Shoreditch.

The property group wants to build 3,000 homes, office space equivalent to four Gherkin skyscrapers, and 1m square feet of shopping, leisure and entertainment space.

The site will include two parks, three town squares, including one as big as Leicester Square, a sports centre, swimming pool and gym, cinemas, a hotel and a wetland habitat.

The Surrey Quays shopping centre will be demolished under the plans. The Daily Mail’s former print works, which British Land bought in 2012, has already been turned into a venue for parties and events. Work will begin next year with the project expected to be completed in 2033.