Woolwich tower blocks no longer to be demolished

A pair of tower blocks in Woolwich earmarked for demolition will remain standing, a planning inspector has decided.

Greenwich Council had ordered developer, Comer Homes, to knock down the buildings in September 2023, claiming there were 26 material deviations from the planning permission it had granted in 2012.

The two buildings, of 23 and 15 storeys, on Woolwich Church Street contain 204 flats.

Comer Homes appealed against the ruling and an inquiry was held between July and September 2024, with the decision made on 9 January.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), planning inspector John Braithwaite said Comer Homes accepted the original scheme had not been lawfully implemented and therefore the existing buildings did not have planning permission.

However, he added the council must have known about the construction of the development.

The decision notice said: "Given the size of the development and the location of the site next to Woolwich Church Street, it would have been visually obvious that development was proceeding."

Planning permission was issued for the development as it currently stands.

According to the LDRS, Mr Braithwaite said the 204 flats, including 28 affordable units, would be beneficial in a borough with a "woeful" undersupply of housing.

However, he said Comer Homes must make 11 material deviations to the buildings within three years or else the council's demolition order will be upheld.

Changes for the scheme include replacing the bright orange panels on the blocks with a more appropriate colour - to be agreed with Greenwich Council - to achieve a neutral appearance alongside the nearby Mast Quay Phase I buildings.

The decision notice said: "Unlike the render panels in Phase I, the bright orange colour of the panels will not fade over time and they will remain visually intrusive and uncomplimentary."

Other changes included adding fire resistant glass to balconies, adapting properties to make them wheelchair accessible and marketing the residents' gym to be used as a commercial unit.

A timetable of detailed works for the buildings is to be submitted to Greenwich Council within three months.

The developer is also required to pay £2.3m to the council to support local facilities and Comer Homes must make an affordable housing contribution of £4.4m to justify only 13% of units in the blocks are affordable.

A survey of residents suggested those in Mast Quay Phase I largely supported the demolition, and residents living in Phase II wanted the buildings to remain.

A Comer Homes spokesperson said the company was happy with the decision.

Greenwich Council was approached for comment.

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