New flats slammed as ‘pretentious’
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a new five-storey block of flats have been called “pretentious” and out of keeping with the surrounding area.
Greenwich council has received plans for a new five-storey building containing nine flats in Woolwich Road in East Greenwich.
The plans, which include shops on the building’s ground floor, were developed by Project Orange and Daniel Watney on behalf of the Estate Charity of William Hatcliffe.
The plans are recommended to be refused by council officers based on the “excessive height” and “poor design” of the building.
The East Greenwich Residents’ Association (EGRA) said in council documents: “The style of the proposed new building, rather pretentiously described by the applicant as a ‘small-scale, freestanding urban palazzo’ is entirely out of keeping with the area.
“It has no reference to any surrounding buildings and looks incongruous in the context of the busy Woolwich Road streetscape.”
Planning documents for the building said greenery in the block would be included through terraces and hanging plants, which would allow daylight and good air quality into the flats.
The EGRA also said it was concerned about two longstanding businesses currently on the site.
The DIY shop, FixIt, was called one of the “main anchor businesses” in East Greenwich by the association, and said its removal would be a “significant loss” to the area.
Regarding the concerns, council documents said the new shop spaces in the building would be suitable for the existing businesses at the site.
Patrick Ives, chairman of the EGRA, said: “We were very pleased to see council officers had recommended refusal for the ‘urban palazzo’ – it seemed completely inappropriate for the area.”
Project Orange said in planning documents: “The site offers a unique opportunity to enhance the local character with a judiciously scaled landmark building.
“The guiding principles of the design are to create quality living spaces that place sustainability and well-being front and centre in a quality building that makes a positive contribution to its setting.”
The decision on the new block of flats in Woolwich Road will be made at a Greenwich council planning meeting tomorrow.
Project Orange and Daniel Watney were approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.
Pictured top: Proposed plans for the new block of flats in Woolwich Road (Picture: Project Orange)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
