New tower branded an “eyesore” may have to be torn down
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A new tower block may have to be torn down, with some residents calling it an “eyesore,” after developers ignored original designs approved by the council.
Greenwich council has rejected plans sent by the Comer Group to change a previously approved design to a new tower block at Mast Quay in Woolwich.
In its decision notice, Greenwich council said the revised plans were not consistent with those that were approved previously by the council.
Plans for the wider project were sent by Comer in 2010, and included two tower blocks, containing 218 flats.
The towers were planned to be 14 and 22 storeys respectively, with the plans approved by Greenwich council in 2012.
However, the developer sent revisions to plans for the 14-storey tower in December 2022, when the build was nearly finished.
New additions to the building include extra metal features and grey cladding, according to planning documents from Plus Architecture, on behalf of Comer.
The revised documents sent by Comer said the tower was redesigned to comply with new government requirements since the Grenfell Tower fire on the use of combustible materials in buildings.
A Greenwich council spokesman said: “The submission from Comer Homes was refused by the council due to inconsistencies with the approved scheme.
“A Breach of Condition Notice and a Planning Contravention Notice has been served in respect of unauthorised facing materials and fenestration. The council will engage with the developer on next steps.”
The Comer Group was approached for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication.
Pictured top: Mast Quay in Woolwich (Picture: Google Street View)
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