The European Commission has confirmed it will investigate London’s proposed Enderby Wharf cruise terminal.
Plans for an international cruise liner terminal were approved by Greenwich Council in 2015 and were cleared by the UK High Court last year following a campaign against the terminal.
As well as a cruise terminal, the development would include 477 homes in housing blocks ranging from 23 to 32 storeys, a skills academy, restaurants and retail units.
The East Greenwich Residents Association claimed to have successfully petitioned the EU to look into its case.
On its Crowd Justice petition page, a spokesperson said: “We have been informed that our petition to the European Parliament has been deemed ‘admissible’. It is now being investigated by the European Commission and has been also referred to the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.”
Campaigners said they fear that the cruise ships would bring extra pollution to Greenwich and London, using the negative impact cruise ships have had on Venice, as an example.
Greenwich Council has maintained that cruise liners would bring a lot of money into the borough through tourism and extra jobs.
Greenwich and Woolwich MP, Matthew Pennycook, has been pressing for a cleaner, greener cruise tunnel.
However, Greenwich Council said that onshore power is not feasible. Speaking at a recent meeting of the council, Cllr Danny Thorpe, member for regeneration and sustainability, said that onshore power was explored but was ruled out for reasons including cost.
