London mayor Boris Johnson is being urged to overturn a decision to approve plans for the capital’s first large cruise ship terminal in 34 years.
Residents’ groups in Greenwich and Tower Hamlets argue that diesel generators will add to already high levels of pollution while ships are berthed at the proposed Enderby Wharf site on the River Thames in Greenwich.
Local councillors last month backed the amended project, which also includes 477 homes in blocks up to 32 storeys high with 15% being allocated as affordable housing.
The proposals say the London City Cruise Port will accommodate vessels up to 240 metres long and it is expected that 60 cruise ships will use the facility each year.
The revised proposals replace a hotel with two residential towers containing 263 new homes. Additionally, a residential tower previously accommodating 93 homes has now been increased to 214 units.
But Dan Hayes, chairman of the East Greenwich Residents Association, said in letters to Johnson and communities secretary Greg Clark that “so far no public reassurance has been given about the additional pollution”.
An average cruise ship can burn 700 litres of diesel an hour, equivalent to 400 idling lorries, the London Evening Standard reported.
Campaigners also criticise plans to build nearly 500 flats in three towers.
Westcourt Real Estate, which is overseeing the development, said the council had decided the project “would have no material impact on air quality levels” in the area.
Greenwich council said: “Nearly £500 million is being committed towards monitoring and improving air quality.”
Enderby Wharf will be the first large cruise ship terminal in the capital since the Royal Docks closed in 1981.