Another bit of old Woolwich to die? Flats proposed near station

Plans are in to demolish the J N Handley building on Vincent Road in Woolwich for a new block of flats.

J N Handley have operated in Woolwich since 1913. Gold Compass Developments are behind the proposal.

The new block would be six floors in height. This is pretty modest given all land surrounding it will be demolished under plans to move Waterfront Leisure Centre to the area and build flats above.

Under plans revealed last year the Bull Tavern further along Vincent Road towards Woolwich Arsenal station would also be demolished. This specific site was included as probably being within that scheme which would mean CPO would be likely.

Initial designs were for a 13 storey tower. Fortunately this didn’t progress as originally designed. It’s straight out of the early 2000s handbook now fortunately binned in many places. Randomised windows and cladding with gray plastic-looking panels would’ve been the order of the day.

It’s now reduced to six floors. In reality 13 seems fine here (with good design) given proximity to Crossrail, Southeastern and DLR stations and other buses, a town centre location, buildings around similar height nearby and the housing shortage.

The 27-storey tower planned in front of Tesco is more out of place and insensitive, yet Greenwich Council never adopted a draft masterplan drawn up two years ago that would have capped heights at that spot.

Though the Tesco site plan has been withdrawn for now, Greenwich Council abandoning the draft area masterplan means a tower is still very likely.

The planning reference is 18/0793/F

Running a site alone takes time and a fair bit of money. Adverts are far from enough to cover it and my living costs as a private renter.