Woolwich town centre block to see dangerous cladding removed
A prominent block in Woolwich town centre will need cladding replaced due to fire risks.
Fear not however, the Wimpy doesn’t appear threatened. Woolwich may have changed but Wimpy stays strong.
Maritime House on General Gordon Square was formerly home to Thames Polytechnic before conversion to residential usage. Upon development it was known as Churchill House and occupied by Greenwich Council.
The authority had big plans for the area back in the 1960s – much of which never happened.
The above block was for a site opposite Maritime House at what is now to be replacement leisure centre for the Waterfront.
Residential use
Residents moved into the block back in 2005 three years conversion plans were approved. Interestingly, one document within the application states:
“The initial development was defined as ‘affordable housing’ and as accommodation for ‘persons or families on low incomes, or in lowest-paid employment.'” Is that still the case?
According to the application “The cladding remediation scheme will focus on elements of the external façade of Maritime House where combustible materials have been identified”.
“The cladding remediation scheme involves the removal and replacement of combustible materials within the external façades enclosing the residential units of the above property, matching the aesthetics of the existing materials”
The taxpayer will be funding the replacement cost: “These works will be funded exclusively from the Building Safety Fund from the (DLUHC) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities”.
When work begins we could well see scaffolding on three sides of the square. Opposite Maritime House is the new leisure centre and to the south plans were approved for new housing in front of Tesco.
Plans can be viewed here.
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That’s good news for the residents and will help to put their minds at rest.
New builds and older buildings are better being rendered and have improved energy efficient windows, doors, heating systems including new boilers, insulation etc installed to latest energy efficiency standards.