Concerns raised over plan for new flats in Deptford

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

“Distressing” plans to build a seven-storey tower block have been criticised by residents, who have raised concerns about fire safety and traffic “chaos” in the area.

Greenwich council received plans from Avon Estates UK to build an extension on a building in Deptford.

The plans, for the block in McMillan Street, will add six more homes across two blocks of flats, bringing the height of the building up to seven storeys, according to council documents.

The plans were discussed at a planning meeting for Greenwich council on Tuesday, February 28.

Sam Folding, a resident of one of the blocks, said the plans were “distressing” to existing residents who wanted to rent or sell their flats in the building.

Another resident of the building, Laurie Musa, claimed fire safety regulations for the building had not been met.

Ms Musa said a “grey area” in guidance meant stairs accessible for firefighters in the case of a fire were not seen as needed for the roof terrace in the plans.

Planning documents for the flats from Brooks Murray Architects, on behalf of Avon Estates, said the designs complied with the fire safety requirements in the London Plan.

But the planning committee voted to agree with the officers’ suggestion to reject the application for the new flats.

A final decision on the plans will be made by the planning inspectorate.

Pictured top: The existing block of flats, Turner House and Marlow Court, in McMillan Street, Deptford (Picture: Google Street View)