Greenwich “temporary” car park given another decade in use
Plans to extend the use of a temporary car park on Greenwich peninsula for another ten years have been approved.
Developer Knight Dragon who own much land across the peninsula with approval for more than 17,000 homes installed the structure in recent years as part of Silvertown tunnel work.
Greenwich planning officers recommended approval stating a minimum requirement for 2,000 o2 car parking spaces based on prior agreements.
Questions
Local cllr David Gardner raised a number of points and sought improvements claiming authorities such as the GLA “should never have agreed to AEG’s 2,000 parking places”.
Currently there are “3,300 spaces at the moment in the vicinity” and the Greenwich peninsula “2022 masterplan didn’t take into account use of tiered car park”. He mentioned how close it is to the tube and has an excellent public transport rating (PTAL level 6a).
He continued that Environmental Health had “asked for air quality assessment but none provided” and that the “London Plan says it should be car-free.”
He went on with points other councillors later echoed that at the “very least it should have landscaping and solar panels on top” stating ten years is a long time.
Over the road a hotel and development on non-Knight Dragon plots have been approved and it’s hardly an attractive welcome.
He wanted a firmer time limit and landscaping alongside solar panels stating car parking is a “cash cow for AEG”.
When called to speak, Knight Dragon representatives stated extending the car park for another decade would bring forward housing on other plots sooner. Quite amusing given how utterly slow Knight Dragon have been to build since buying into the area 14 years ago. See here for one of their earlier masterplans from a decade ago.
As covered last week, plots such as 19.04 were given detailed approval eight years ago and not a single thing has happened. Masterplans have been and gone. Total homes increase but build-out rates are incredibly poor.
Remember their plans for a Santiago Calatrava designed transport interchange? Plans were long dropped and again nothing seen since. It’s a very common story with Knight Dragon.
Too expensive
Cllr Pat Greenwell about landscaping to which Knight Dragon stated it was “expensive to put that in”. Yep, a massive company can’t afford a small bit of landscaping.
When asked about solar panels they again claimed it’s too expensive and would detract from building residential developments. That really is scraping the barrel of excuses.
Chair Cllr Gary Dillon said: “Ten years has been questioned” and whether any chances of bringing forward plans elsewhere to ensure it won’t be there in a decade.
Knight Dragon stated they were “building out then in” which given this is in the interior of the masterplan area doesn’t bode well.
The representative then stated they hoped for changes in the budget to help speed up building.
Planning
As for other proposed changes in terms of planning from the new government it’ll hardly have much impact here. Planning approval has never been an issue with residential development here. Many detailed plans for individual plots have been approved. Knight Dragon just havn’t built them.
Cllr Dillon again asked for even basic measures to make it less of an eyesore. Knight Dragon again refused repeating their lines about putting all money into residential plots.
Friend or foe to area?
Knight Dragon came across throughout as contemptuous of the area and residents, which given their actions since taking control of most of the peninsula wasn’t a great surprise.
Cllr Maisee Richards Cottell then asked about any talks with AEG about a future reduction in car parking.
Knight Dragon then stated “it’s world class venue” inferring that must mean thousands of car parking spaces were needed. Of course many world class venues in London and beyond don’t have such extensive car parking.
Cllr Pat Greenwell concluded that it’s very disappointing they’re “not prepared to give an inch” when located in such an area set for change and near the o2 which sees people travel all over the world to visit.
Plans were approved with that previous agreement for 2,000 homes looming large.
Generally it was an extremely unimpressive performance from Knight Dragon and having so much land in their hands continues to be a big mistake. Their contempt for the area shone through bright and clear.
You can view the meeting from the 3:13 hrs point here. This post was mostly written last month when plans were discussed with finishing touches just added. Apologies for the delay.
