First tenants move into council homes for over 60s in Abbey Wood and Charlton

Tenants have begun moving into new purpose-built council homes for over-60s in Abbey Wood and Charlton.

One new resident, retail manager Jacqui Manning, recently downsized from a flat in an older block in Woolwich on an estate which is now due for demolition.

She described the first time she saw the new-build home, which she shares with partner Eid, as being “like a dream come true… I thought I’d died and gone to heaven”.

Designed by Peter Barber Architects, the Abbey Wood development has 11 one and two-bedroom flats. A second development in Charlton is made up of a further 10 homes, three of which are wheelchair-accessible.

The Charlton site also features a children’s playground and an outdoor gym, and was named Henry Kenny Drive in honour of Woolwich-born war hero Henry Edward Kenny, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in recognition of the bravery he showed in battle during the First World War.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “It was fantastic to meet Jacqui and to see first-hand the positive impact our new homes are having on the lives of local people.

“Both of these developments are great examples of the high-quality and affordable homes we’ll be delivering many more of over the coming years through our Greenwich Builds programme.”

Pictured top are Greenwich council leader Danny Thorpe and member for housing Cllr Chris Kirby, with tenant Jacqui and partner Eid inside their new flat in Abbey Wood.