Developers plan to regenerate derelict Woolwich school site into 642 homes

BY TOM BULL
Local Democracy Reporters
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

A developer wants to regenerate a derelict school site with hundreds of flats to rent, spread across six new towers up to 22 storeys high.

The scheme for 642 homes is in Beresford Street, Woolwich and would see the former Macbean Street School site concreted over.

Five new buildings have been applied for – the tallest of which would be 22 storeys high with a
public viewing gallery.

The plans, put forward by Legal and General, have been welcomed by ward Councillor John Fahy.

He said: “The importance of investing in Woolwich is self-evident. It’s critical to maximise the amount of social housing in the area.

“Woolwich members are keen to see the Woolwich Town Centre grow in popularity and additional investment to continue.

Plans in the pipeline will see significant development including Charlton Riverside and Spray Street while protecting the historical elements of the area.”

The new flats will be the first in Woolwich to be entirely “built to-rent”, which the developers say will play a major role in helping housing numbers in Greenwich.

The developers said: “To optimise the site, ensure high-quality public realm, deliver a range of affordable housing tenures and a range of public benefits, three tall buildings are proposed of 19, 20 and 22 storeys.

“These reflect the council and Mayor of London’s support for tall buildings in Woolwich town centre. To signal the importance of the tallest building, a public viewing gallery is proposed.

“These buildings are supported by two buildings of 12 and six storeys which create the necessary
transition between the site and Beresford Square in the east and Powis Street to the south.”

The developers will stump up £4.4million in community infrastructure levy for Greenwich council and the Mayor, which will go towards transport, waste and community facilities.

Legal and General have proposed 35 per cent of the new flats be earmarked as “affordable” – split between 70 per cent social rent and 30 per cent intermediate housing – with priority for the new builds going to workers at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The developers said: “Legal and General’s aim is to build a stable, mixed community which integrates with the local area, supporting local businesses and public services.

“Delivery of affordable housing is an important element of the scheme and efforts have therefore been made to maximise the number of affordable homes and align these to local needs.”

Main Pic: Artist’s impression of how the new development could look