Demolition begins for 188 new homes near the Thames Barrier

Demolition has commenced for new housing at a plot in Charlton near the Thames Barrier.

The block in questions sits immediately north of a separate block nearing completion. It has more than a hint of Furlong’s garage in Woolwich about it and a fitting design for an industrial area undergoing transformation.

The site on Eastmoor Street sits near Thames Barrier Gardens and a number of reserved matters have gone in over recent weeks so I was keeping an eye out when passing on the bus. Sure enough demolition of a former industrial building was just about visible from the bus.

In total 188 homes were approved on appeal back in 2022.

Nearby sits the former Royal Victoria pub which fell into near ruin before renovation and conversion into a pizza takeaway.

New homes were built behind that though scaffolding once again surrounds those.

Masterplan

These plots sit on the far larger Charlton Riverside masterplan area which could see up to 8,000 when complete.

Though given it’s taken more than a decade to see one block nearly complete things would need to speed up substantially. Other plots on the masterplan area such as 1,212-homes from Hyde Housing Association have gone nowhere after planning approved.

A nearby site at Flint Glass Wharf has also seen plans for around a decade. That plot is beside the river and immediately west of the Thames Barrier. The latest approval was given earlier this year.

In total the four sites will comprise around 2,000 new homes.

Transport

Despite the first new homes at Charlton Riverside completing Transport for London – supported by Greenwich Council – have decided to reduce the number of stopping buses outside which also impacts Greenwich Trust School a short distance away.

The busy 472 route is being replaced wholesale by Superloop route SL11 early next year, and unlike the 472 it’ll sail by numerous new homes along the route.

Seven major developments currently underway in fact will see a net reduction in stopping buses at sites set to welcome thousands of residents including sites in south Thamesmead, Plumstead and these parts of Charlton. Plenty more developments along the route are also on the drawing board.

Whilst an express bus will be welcome to many (including yours truly) the complete removal of the existing route 472 – unlike similar seen with all other Superloops in London which complimented existing routes – will impact a large number of residents when the change occurs – just as people move into new homes including this part of Charlton.