Kidbrooke tower block housing project up for debate this week

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A set of five new tower blocks up to 15 storeys tall are planned for Greenwich, which would include 526 flats in total.

The new homes would be based in Kidbrooke Village and include a new public park pavilion and natural play spaces for children.

The new buildings would be between 11 and 15 storeys tall and come as part of a wider project from Berkeley Homes to regenerate the former Ferrier Estate, which was demolished in 2012.

Council documents said 5,434 homes were proposed for the overall project, with more than 2,500 homes having been built to date and another 1,104 currently under construction.

Permission was previously given for the site in 2015 to have five buildings of up to 12 storeys built on it, including 382 homes.

However, no affordable housing was included in the proposal as such units were planned to be delivered elsewhere in the wider scheme. Out of the 144 additional homes proposed in the updated application, 66 are planned to be ‘affordable’.

Planning documents said every home in the proposed scheme would have its own private balcony, terrace or garden.

A new nature pavilion is also planned in Cator Park, the public green space running through Kidbrooke Village. Developments to the park included in the current application include a stage area for performing and a wetland walk to view swans and frogs.

The plans said: “Building on the existing community, Kidbrooke Village is defined by the ‘green river’ that dissects the length of the scheme, which includes an abundance of open parkland and green network.

“This regeneration, which has transformed quality of life across this part of the borough, is delivered in partnership with local people, the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Greater London Authority, and Berkeley Homes.”

The proposal has reportedly developed following a number of consultations with planning officers from Greenwich council and the Greater London Authority, as well as with local residents.

The developer said this has resulted in several changes including more warm tones being used in the bricks of the scheme.

The new blocks planned for Kidbrooke Village will be discussed at a planning meeting for Greenwich council this week.

Pictured top: A CGI of the buildings proposed for Kidbrooke Village (Picture: Jo Cowen Architects/Berkeley Homes)