Woolwich plan for 750 homes, cinema and shops at Spray Street inch forward

Updated plans to demolish a swath of Woolwich town centre to build 750 homes, new shops and a cinema are to be discussed at Greenwich Council’s Cabinet meeting next week.

Probably the biggest thing to take away from the first update in six months is not much has happened. It’s that lethargy that is probably behind plans to re-let the indoor market again for a number of years.

Despite plans for redevelopment being approved three and a half years ago no Compulsory Purchase Order plans have yet been initiated. The formal agreement with St Modwen and Notting Hill was signed almost three years ago in December 2014.

The report reveals 150 organisations operate across the site. Given the fragmented nature of land uses and users it’s somewhat surprising that it has taken so long to push forward plans to initiate CPO proceedings. Only now are they beginning to look into it.

Despite slow progress to date, the documents reveal that a planning application is due to be submitted in December.

When it is we will find out if all buildings on the site are to be flattened, including attractive Victorian buildings on Woolwich New Road.

These buildings were retained in the first round of consultation yet their status appeared ambigious in the later round. As reasonably high density buildings they could be retained, improved and incorporated into the overall design .