Residential properties in Greenwich receive temporary reprieve from demolition.
In a significant decision for the housing market in Greenwich, an independent planning inspector has ruled in favour of Comer Homes, allowing the construction of two apartment blocks on Woolwich Church Street to continue. The development, which was initially ordered to be torn down by Greenwich Council in 20XX due to failing to meet 26 requirements outlined in the planning documents, will now proceed, subject to certain amendments.
The inquiry, which took place between July and September 2024, followed Comer Homes' appeal against the Council's decision. The outcome of the inquiry, revealed on 9 January 20XX, sided with Comer Homes, allowing the development to remain.
The apartment blocks, consisting of 204 flats, were granted planning permission in 2012 to rise 23 and 15 storeys. If the amendments are not made within the given three-year timeframe, the demolition will go ahead. The amendments include changes to the building design, such as replacing the bright orange panels with a more neutral colour, adding fire-resistant glass to balconies, and making the properties more accessible to wheelchair users.
Comer Homes must also pay Greenwich Council an affordable housing contribution of £4.4million due to only 28 of the properties being earmarked as affordable. Additionally, the company will contribute an extra £2.3million towards community infrastructure levy payments.
John Brathwaite, the planning inspector, stated that the flats would be beneficial in a borough with a 'woeful' undersupply of homes. A spokesperson from Comer Homes expressed satisfaction with the decision and looked forward to working closely with Greenwich Council.
The image credit for this article is from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. For more precise details on the amendments required, you may want to consult the Greenwich local council's planning portal or Comer Homes' official communications.
The independent planning inspector, John Brathwaite, stated that the apartment blocks, consisting of 204 flats in total, will be beneficial to the housing market in Greenwich, which faces a 'woeful' undersupply of homes. Comer Homes, the developer, will need to pay an affordable housing contribution of £4.4million to Greenwich Council, as only 28 of the properties are earmarked as affordable, and also contribute an extra £2.3million towards community infrastructure levy payments as part of their investment in real-estate development.
