Woolwich tower demolition: Planning inquiry begins to decide fate
A planning inquiry has begun to decide the fate of recently completed blocks beside the Thames in Woolwich.
Comer Homes were served an enforcement notice last year after buildings were completed that differed from approved plans. They appealed with a hearing now underway.
An inquiry will last for 15 days at the top of Greenwich Council’s Woolwich Centre.
Design changes
Greenwich Council noted twenty six design changes between approval in 2012 and completion in 2023.
Alterations to designs are nothing new post approval following approved planning applications. At Mast Quay many changes were made without any approval until the development was all but complete.
As well as smaller windows compared to the approved application, an extensive glazed “sail” was a no show.
A roof garden for residents didn’t appear as well as children’s play areas.
One of the more infamous changes was ‘accessible’ flats with steps to balconies preventing access for wheelchair users.
Other issues noted by Greenwich Council includes car parking in place of landscaped space with reduced basement car parking spaces. A pedestrian bridge was also “poorer quality” than approved.
Phase two of Mast Quays is built to rent and the authority claims Comer has continued to market flats despite enforcement notices.
If the inquiry upholds Greenwich Council’s enforcement notice Comer Homes may need to demolish within twelve months or the building could see changes to adhere to prior approval, though given the scale of changes that would be disruptive and expensive.
Comer Homes also have the option of appealing to the High Court on legal or procedural grounds.
Shrink the windows and paint it grey, it would look like a land-locked Bibby Stockholm
Drove past it yesterday and was wondering what was happening, so many thanks for this update. It highly irritates me that these people just think they can ride roughshod over planning rules and arrogantly assume they will get away with it. How many of the changes were upgrades or improvements? I bet the figure is zero.
Greenwich must hold it’s nerve here and not let them get away with this as others will no doubt use any climb-down as precedent.
And Charles (“Ici Chacal” ) is right, a design classic it ain’t.
Good Lord, you got me. I’d offer you a watermelon slice but surprisingly few people take me up on it
I hope this will be demolished and that the developer will have to pay for all damages to the people who already live in this place.
The new Labour Government want to change the planning application system so new homes can be built more quickly.
They are even looking to build on green belt sites as well as brownfield sites. So love or hate these flats they could still get to stay. If a Government or Mayor of London decision is required on whether the flats need to be demolished which would probably be the preferred option as safety as to be paramount at all times.
That said the Developer would have had to pay the Council the money the developers pays Local Authorities via CIL and section 106. Unless this on hold waiting the outcome of the decision.