Proposal for Woolwich job centre to become 60 flats
In the latest of a string of civic buildings changing use to residential in Woolwich, proposals are in for the former Job Centre beside the town hall on Wellington Street to be converted to 60 flats. Planning ref. is 15/3405/PN2
Under current planning law, permitted rights rules for office to residential conversion means planning approval is a formality, and no affordable housing need be provided. It’s these rules that mean there’s a strong chance that the former council block at Riverside House will also see residential conversion, when all remaining occupants leave.
The Job Centre’s change follows conversions of the town’s Magistrates’ Court, which is now almost complete, and the Police Station, which is passing through planning. Though those were not approved under the same office-to-residential planning law.
Over the road are the Ogilby housing blocks, as seen above. These are all now boarded up with demolition imminent. Demotion is also underway just down the road on the other side of the Town Hall, where the Woolwich Grand is to become more flats. A real loss of a venue that should have been at the forefront of regeneration, providing cultural attractions so badly lacking. Here’s the replacement:
Over by the station, and in a seemingly bizarre move, some mid-density three and four storey housing on Vincent and Burrage Roads are to come down, and a low-rise branch of Plumcroft Primary School built in its place. There’s clearly a need for schools, but demolishing housing there seems strange. It’s hard not to think the replacement school is in the wrong place, or at least under-utilising town centre land to a great extent, which is practically beside the DLR and Southeastern station.
Just next to this site on Vincent Road are lower rise housing and garages on council land which are not only seriously ugly, but a real waste of land:
In the shot above, garages are on the left. Low rise housing seen on right with a nice prison like entrance gate. The other side of the garages facing Vincent Road can be seen below, with the condemned housing block behind:
It could be that this area wasn’t chosen as it will be incorporated into the large new leisure centre site, which will surely include housing above and behind. Directly adjacent is Wilkinson’s car park, which forms a decent chunk of the site.
That’s it for this brief round up. There’s many other sites across Woolwich that continue on. Though there’s still a huge number vacant or stalled, and the housing crises means all need building, and soon.
Where is the Job Centre moving to, please ?
It looks like it’s now on Spray Street, but that whole area is to be redeveloped over the next few years, so looks a short stay.
I think the Job Centre on Spray Street closed years ago?
Google is giving me 15 Spray Street.
The houses being demolished in Vincent road are primarily if not exclusively old peoples care facilities. Bizarre that the care of the old is being replaced by the care of the young. My mother was interested in moving there…not now it seems
The conversion of the Grand to housing is no surprise to me. I chatted to the guy running the Grand as an arts come theatre centre. Apart from his total lack Project Management which I tried to advise him on, the council were starving him of funds. Could it be they had designs on residential conversion back then? The council seems to have little appetite for an arts centre and to be honest, I don’t think the residents of Woolwich would make the best of the opportunity were it in place. So, intrude – more bland, overpriced appartments that no one on a average income could hope to afford. It makes me weep.
As a child, I played in those garages in Vincent road. Laying empty as they are now seems a tragic waste of land.
Granted it has to come to pass, but there are indeed good plans for an ‘arts hub’ in the Arsenal
http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/news/article/314/royal_arsenal_set_to_become_londons_newest_cultural_destination
and a cinema is also planned in the Spray St redevelopment.
The arsenal site seems very top down implementation of an ‘arts quarter’. These things often happen best naturally with some support, but not complete direction, from authorities. The Grand, along with the ‘Bathway Quarter’ behind could become that. As could little alleys around Mortgammit Sq near old cinemas/ferry. Getting Second Floor Studios at the Dockyard (biggest artist space in London) involved could really help.
I agree. I don’t think you can suddenly plonk arts facilities in an area and expect them to flourish. Places like Second Floor Studios & Arts in Woolwich have grown organically over the years according to demand. They seem successful.
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The design of the Plumcroft annexe, at least from the outside, looks pretty awful – more like a warehouse.
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