The new Venice? Huge cruise ships could invade Thames in two years as new passenger terminal planned for Greenwich

The new Venice? Huge cruise ships could invade Thames in two years as new passenger terminal planned for Greenwich

• By CHRIS KITCHING FOR MAILONLINE

• It is hoped the new terminal would open in 2017 at Enderby Wharf
• Ships up to 820ft long would stop near the Old Royal Naval College 
• River Thames isn't deep enough to accommodate world's largest ships 
• New plans will be submitted within weeks to Greenwich council

London could soon become a popular destination for large cruise ships if plans for a new passenger terminal in Greenwich move forward.

It is hoped that the mooring at Enderby Wharf would open in 2017 and become the capital’s first new terminal since the closure of the Royal Docks in 1981.

The hub would allow ships up to 820ft long to stop near popular tourist attractions such as the Old Royal Naval College and Cutty Sark, The Times reported.

New plans from Westcourt Real Estate are to be submitted to Greenwich council within weeks and show that the mooring would be used for the start and finish of cruises, the newspaper reported.

Westcourt has not revealed the cost of the new terminal, and lead architect Jonathan Manser said a previous design failed to meet the requirements.