‘Iconic’ Grade II listed former town hall set to be converted into flats
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans have been submitted to turn a former town hall into flats.
Greenwich council has received the plans to convert its old town hall, now known as Meridian House, into 73 homes.
The proposal, sent by Riverlow Group, would see the roof of the building in Greenwich High Road being extended to accommodate the new units.
Council documents said 21 per cent of the flats would be “affordable”. Space would also be provided for shops on the ground floor, which would create 62 new jobs.
Planning documents from JTP on behalf of the Riverlow Group said the development could also make the clock tower observation deck available for the public to visit.
The plans said the tower has been inaccessible for more than 50 years due to health and safety issues.
Council officers said in their report: “Members of the public shall be granted recreational access to the viewing gallery within the clock tower free of charge on at least four occasions per year for the lifetime of the development.”
Meridian House is a Grade II listed building and was built in 1939, serving as the town hall until 1965.
The building was later used by the Greenwich School of Management, before it entered administration in 2019, and has remained empty ever since.
Historic England described the building as “iconic” and felt the extension would have a considerable impact on the structure.
The body said in its response: “In our view, the proposals would negatively affect a key element of the building’s significance – specifically its striking composition, which is central to its architectural interest and the original design intent.
“Due to the extent of the harm we have identified, Historic England is unable to support the proposals.”
The plans for the building have received 124 letters of support following several rounds of consultations last year.
Neighbours praised the building being repurposed to provide housing in the borough and felt it would help deter antisocial behaviour around the empty structure.
The application to convert Meridian House into a set of flats will be discussed at a planning board meeting for Greenwich council on Tuesday.
Pictured top: Meridian House, as seen in Greenwich High Road (Picture: JTP/Riverlow Group)
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