Plumstead college comes down as redevelopment moves ahead
One of the main buildings that housed a college in Plumstead has been brought down in recent weeks as plans for a new college and 294 homes gets underway.
London South East Colleges are to occupy a smaller site to the west with new homes on the eastern part.
The structure – alongside its later extension facing Plumstead Road – is almost no more as seen in this video:
Of 294 future homes, 50 per cent are classed as affordable. Of that, two thirds are social rent.
In 2021 the plan was to complete by 2023, which will not be met.
The deadline now is 2025 for the new college. Rebuild costs are being funded by selling land to L&Q for the residential component.
The college went by a number of names over the years including Woolwich college and latterly Greenwich College.
A separate building to the rear of the site beside the railway between Plumstead and Woolwich remains standing for now.
The site is located roughly half way between Plumstead station and two Woolwich stations.
It’s the third major development underway relatively close to Plumstead station. Others include almost 2,000 homes beside the one-way system and 333 homes at a former care home.
The station is due to see accessibility work but as yet work has not commenced.
I went to that college in the late 80s. Aside from three excellent chemistry labs (as well as an electronics one) , they had a fully-equipped garage for learning car and engine repair. Even a darkroom and photographic lab, for those who wanted to study the arts. The last time I saw it was perhaps a decade past, and the place where the labs had been displayed banners for hairdressing or croupier courses.
Even though the chemistry staff were insane (one was a miserable little alcoholic, and the other was quite mad), it taught you – prepared you for work or further studies by giving you options. The last time I saw it, the labs had banners in the windows, advertising croupier, and hairdressing courses. Somehow, it went from providing a decent (if somewhat basic) education to preparing people to serve a function. An ignoble end for any place of learning
The labs at Bromley Common have also been stripped out in the last three years. Replaced with offices and classrooms for advanced apprenticeships; what ever theey are