Early proposals include a focus on swimming, alongside a wellness centre with a sauna and spa

New proposals have been unveiled for the transformation of Royal Victoria Dock West in east London, with a significant focus on leisure and wellness. The project, led by Royal Docks Waterways, includes plans for a new lido and a dedicated wellness centre featuring a sauna and spa. These facilities are part of a broader 12-hectare development that aims to increase publicly accessible open space in Newham by 5%, incorporating the capital’s first large-scale floating park alongside new residential units.

The vision for the Royal Docks aligns with the Mayor of London’s 10-year Clean and Healthy Waterways strategy, which seeks to improve water quality and expand public access to the city's waterways. While open water swimming will remain a central feature of the site, the proposals suggest that high-intensity water sports like wakeboarding may be relocated to alternative locations to accommodate the new wellness infrastructure. Public engagement sessions are scheduled for late February and early March to gather feedback on the early-stage designs.

If the plans receive approval and funding is secured, construction is anticipated to begin in 2030. The development is intended to establish the area as a permanent destination for residents and visitors, repurposing the historic docklands into a hub for health and community use. Managing director Scott Derben noted that the project represents the most significant change to the management of the docks since they closed to commercial shipping in 1981, shifting the focus toward nurturing the city's inhabitants through accessible wellness facilities.