Changes revealed for Woolwich hotel and student housing plan at Riverside House
Almost nine years after Greenwich Council sold Riverside House and yet another revised plan has been made for the site.
After many proposals that went nowhere here’s another one to add to the pile. Following the most recent plans which saw approval of extension and conversion plans in 2025 we now see yet more alterations.
This one appears to demolish the existing structure rather than convert and extend.
History
Riverside House was approved for sale by Greenwich Council in 2017. Like the recently-closed Waterfront leisure center site nearby they went for short-term cash income route option rather than a long-term plan to build on-site, either directly or via Meridian Home Start, which could have saved the authority millions being paid annually for expensive temporary accommodation.
Since being sold numerous plans for residential conversion have been and gone. There’s this one from 2018. Then this one in 2021. Another followed in 2021.
The days and months rolled by with no action. Then in 2024 came plans for a hotel and student housing. That was approved.
Changes
Changed plans now mean the hotel element will go as apparently that isn’t viable, with an increase of 320 student rooms and 42 flats.
Other local student developments include 299 rooms at the former Catholic Club now emerging alongside 120 room-block next door.
Over the road the “Electric Works” site on Macbean Street has approved plans for 930 student rooms. Like many Woolwich sites formerly in public hands its sat empty for many years since being sold. So far around 15 years and counting. It’s currently operating as car park without any planning permission.
Two years on and it’s another change of plan. An Environmental Impact Assessment has been submitted but as yet no documents uploaded to Greenwich Council’s website.
Now the whole process starts yet again and who knows, it’ll be approved then all change again in two to three years. Perhaps it’ll go back to housing or a hotel. Or maybe a cheeky plan for an autostacker v2?
Riverside House development should have been redeveloped for social housing. Greenwich Council seems to care more about housing students rather than local families born and bred in the Borough.
One wonders if those who purchased the site ever actually intended to build rather than instead sit and land bank it assuming land values would rise with the Elizabeth line. Speculation above housing.
Agree Greenwich Council should have retained it and converted to homes via Greenwich Builds or Meridian. Think how much expenditure would have been saved compared to paying for B&Bs over almost a decade. Typical short-termist attitude which explain the financial mess this country is in
Yet more profitable students rooms, while thousands of people are currently on the housing waiting list in Greenwich. You couldn’t make it up!