Coming 2025: Woolwich tower transformation set to start
This year is set to see work begin on a 801-homes development opposite Woolwich Elizabeth line station.
Like a fair few things covered in recent years it has seen a number of delays with a 2024 start date coming and going.
However at the end of last year businesses were told to vacate across the site by August 2025. Other areas have long been vacant.
The area has seen business complaints for some years with business owners stating alternative commercial space on offer were in area away from town centres in places of low footfall.
Back in 2022 expecting work to start imminently I took a number of photos of some areas destined for demolition.
Notting Hill Genesis are behind the overall project that includes Woolwich covered market after being selected by Greenwich Council.
When approved the market site is be converted into a cinema and bar.
Much of the site is already in a state of advanced decline. In the above image the vacant space beside the blue painted wall was a building that crumbled away more than a decade ago.
The covered market was set to come down until a late listing saw it incorporated into plans and renovated.
If work does begin this year it will have taken 12 years since Greenwich Council chose development partner and 14 since they designated the area for redevelopment.
No homes will be at social or council rent levels.
If this project is to start this year and not back yet further expect to see business begin the leave and demolition perhaps commence on parts of the site that has already sat empty for year.
If not then it could drag yet further into the future.
This area of Woolwich is in need of urgent regeneration. With a further 801 new homes where is the improvenments to infrastructure. To cope with demand of all thr new residents.
This includes improvements to the drains and sewage system. Improvements to GP services, dentist, pharmacists, hospitals svhools and public transport. . Further up Woolwich New Road work is due to start on the new tower to the front of Tesco’s.
It’s a shame that the victorian buildings will be demolished instead of incorporating them into the design. Those buildings stood for over a hundred.years. I give the new buildings a 30 to 40 lifetime.
What.is left of the centre of old Woolwich is not a lot now.