Developers switch focus to push for new student quarters in Greenwich

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for 190 new student rooms in Greenwich have been submitted, replacing the previous scheme to build flats on the site.

Greenwich council has received an application to build the student digs in Woolwich Road, 35 per cent of which would be classed as ‘affordable’.

AVF Developments, which bought the site last year, wants to create three connected blocks of up to seven storeys in height, with communal gardens.

General improvements to the area are also being offered, such as the Woolwich Road footpath being widened. Shared study areas, amenity spaces and shops are envisioned for the ground floor of the development.

The council approved plans last year for a set of 58 flats on the site in blocks up to six storeys tall.

Planning documents claim that 129,830 students in London were left without purpose-built accommodation in the 2021/22 academic year. Consultations between the developer and the University of Greenwich also found that the institution required an additional 2,500 student rooms.

The plans said: “AVF’s vision for the redevelopment of 141 Woolwich Road is to provide high-quality student accommodation, which will contribute to alleviating the current shortfall in this part of London.

“As well as providing a mix of student room types, the brief is to provide supporting space for student amenities, commercial space and outdoor amenity space.”

Pictured top: CGI of the proposed new block of student digs (Picture: Apt/AVF Developments)