Developer appeals decision to refuse building next to 19th century chimney

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A developer has appealed a council’s decision to refuse its plan to build a block of flats beside a Grade II listed 19th century chimney. 

Lakeview Estates One Limited wanted to build a 13-storey block of flats in Woolwich Church Street, Greenwich.

The scheme would have seen 48 flats built on the site which is currently occupied by a former pub, The Albion. The building functioned as a hostel in recent years and is in a ‘dilapidated’ condition, according to planning documents.

Several Grade II listed structures are present beside the site, including Woodhill School, the Edinburgh Castle pub and artefacts from the former Royal Dockyard. Across the road from the former pub is the 19th century chimney of an old steam factory.

Greenwich council officers said in their report on the scheme that the chimney dates back to 1837 and the new building would diminish the landmark. The authority’s Planning Board voted to refuse the application at a meeting on March 5, criticising the lack of affordable housing.

Reasons for refusal also included the effect the bulk and height of the development would have on the Grade II listed chimney. 

But, the developer noted that permission for a similar 13-storey building on the site was granted in a 2017 application. This consent was never implemented and the application said the new proposal had reworked the scheme to be more efficient.

The applicant said that consultants The Heritage Practice had claimed the proposal was appropriate in terms of its scale and would provide a sympathetic visual relationship with the surrounding assets. 

They said the scheme would not be viable if affordable housing was included. 

The appeal application will be assessed by the Planning Inspectorate at a later date.

Pictured top: A CGI of the block planned on the site with the chimney beside it (Picture: Mark Smith Architects / Lakeview Estates One Limited)