Plans for 1,500 homes on the Greenwich Peninsula have been slammed by a local MP due to its excessive height.

The £770 million mixed use-development at Modern Wharf is described as a "rare and significant opportunity to create a new riverside community on the southwestern fringe of the Peninsula" by the developers U+I.

But Greenwich and Woolwich MP Matthew Pennycook says the four-towers, ranging from 21 to 36 storeys tall, is excessively tall, and would "have a detrimental impact on the existing character of the area and local heritage assets."

Morden Wharf development on the Greenwich Peninsula

Morden Wharf development on the Greenwich Peninsula

Penning a letter to the planning board of Greenwich Council, Pennycook said he was registering his formal objection to the hybrid planning application submitted by Cathedral Ltd and Morden College.

The MP said that whilst he fully supports the principe of mixed-use development "on what is questionably an underutilised site, it is imperative that any development authorised be appropriate.

Responding, a spokesperson for U+I said: “Our proposals for Morden Wharf will turn what is currently an underused, brownfield industrial site into a new mixed-use neighbourhood, centred on a new three-acre riverside park, which will be open to the public.

"As well as providing 1,500 much-needed homes – 35% of which will be affordable - new commercial and employment space across the site will generate around 1,100 permanent new jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

"Proposals have been developed in close consultation with the local community and the design of all buildings has been carefully considered to ensure they are in-keeping with the emerging context on the Peninsula."

Morden Wharf development on the Greenwich Peninsula

Morden Wharf development on the Greenwich Peninsula

Pennycook wrote: "I feel strongly that the proposals submitted would be inappropriate for the site in question and would have a detrimental impact on the existing character of the area."

This, he argues, goes against the advice given in the council's local plan, and goes on to say he believes there are strong grounds for the refusal of the application because of "namely the excessive heights of several of the buildings."

The development, built on the 19-acre site, would contain 21, 25, 30 and 36 storey towers, described as "wholly inappropriate."

Morden Wharf development on the Greenwich Peninsula

Morden Wharf development on the Greenwich Peninsula

Pennycook emphasises that the current maximum height of any existing building to the south of Morden Wharf is 18 storeys, with the vast majority between eight and 11.

"They would represent an abrupt and dramatic increase in building heights relative to the adjacent buildings.

A planning application for the proposals were lodged in June last year, and work is expected to start in 2023 if approved.

Morden Wharf development on the Greenwich Peninsula

Morden Wharf development on the Greenwich Peninsula

U+I, working with architects OMA, say Morden harf will become a multi-faceted place to live, work and play, and that the plans were a culmination of eight years of vision, ambition and collaboration.

"At the heart of this bold new vision for what a new London neighbourhood should be is over 60% new public realm, comprising a beautiful 3.9-acre park, 275m Thames frontage and a public square for community events, markets and gatherings.

A new employment ecosystem will be born with 200,000 sq ft of commercial space providing the infrastructure for over 3,500 new jobs spanning commercial, retail and community uses, including smaller flexible spaces for SMEs and creative businesses."