Vacant Woolwich Macbean Street site sees car park taking shape
Work to create a car park on a Woolwich town centre site which has sat empty for 15 years has commenced despite a previous car park application being rejected.
No new application is evident for car park usage at the time of writing. The former Woolwich Poly school on site closed around 2010 and the building demolished shortly after.
A previous car park application for the site was refused and again on appeal.
Then another was made for a car wash on site which was also refused, and once again on appeal.
Despite no plans submitted since – let alone approval – and the site’s history a banner on a fence outside states Euro Parking Services will operate the site and that it’s “coming soon”.
A large number of signs are already evident across the site.
Car park near station
It’s unlikely a car park on site would see the green light given the site’s history and given how close the Elizabeth line is, which could act to increase the amount of traffic and congestion in the town centre.
Of course people driving in to use the Liz line are what the operators are seeking, but whether that’s good for the town is another matter.
Beresford Street alongside is often slow going as it is and TfL plan to dig up much of the street outside in the not too distant future.
In addition construction work on a student block has blocked one eastbound lane – and two developments in the vicinity have been approved. One being another student block and the other Ropeyards from Berkeley Homes on the former Maribor park.
A car park also exists nearby below the Lidl supermarket so it doesn’t appear there’s a pressing need.
Development
The site was sold by Legal and General to developer Re:Shape in 2024 who submitted development plans including 918 student rooms and 409 co-living rooms. It also includes the market pound next door which is owned by the council.
The former school on site was known as Union Street school having opened in 1884 before it became part of Woolwich Polytechnic. After closure pupils moved to the school’s current site in Thamesmead.
Perhaps Greenwich will take swift enforcement action if the site owners do try to open a car park without any planning permission – though if that happens it raises questions about the new site owner.
Sticking a car park on it – or attempting to – doesn’t suggest work starting anytime soon.
The Macbean Street site left empty and undeveloped for 15 years is unbelievable when the local Labour controlled Greenwich Council who have controlled the council for over 50 years. Have allowed the site to remain empty despite an housing crisis.
As the site was previously a school this site should have been used for much needed social housing for local residents on the housing waiting list.
It is also appalling that the Labour MP for Woolwich and Greenwich Matthew Pennycook is the Government Minister for Housing. Continues to allow so many sites around the Borough to remain empty and undeveloped.
Empty buildings that can be fully refurbished and brought up to the latest engery efficient standards should be brought back in to use for housing wherever possible. 0l