New block of flats for Eltham town centre as masterplan gets going

One of the first stages of Eltham’s masterplan is in for planning. It’s for a block of flats behind shops on the north side of the High Street on Orangery Lane. Debenhams to be precise.

The exact details are:

“Demolition of existing building and construction of a part 5 / part 9 storey mixed use development comprising a flexible B1 / D1 use at ground floor level and 46 self-contained flats above. | 10 Orangery Lane, Eltham, London, SE9 1HN”

Eltham has seen far less development than many parts of Greenwich borough. The Grove development, covered in an old post here, is one of the few, but much underused land exists behind the shops facing the High Street. The 2012 Masterplan enviasages residential development on this land.

Much of it is currently single level car parks. Not a great use of land in a town centre location. A multi-storey car park, which retains or increases existing capacity,would be a big step forward.

But it’s not only behind the shops that residential potential lies. Many of the shops are only single level structures. Much potential to rebuild with residential above:

Behind this site there is also a large BT facility, which the planning documents mention could be sold in future.

Other changes currently underway in Eltham are redevelopment of the High Street with new wider paving, higher quality street furniture and clutter removal.

Demolition for the forthcoming cinema is also underway.

The Planning Reference for Orangery Lane flats is 16/3176/F