Demolition plan for Woolwich Waterfront leisure centre submitted
Demolition is moving forward for the former Waterfront leisure centre with a new plan submitted.
The 1980s centre, famous for its slide which briefly left the building, closed following the construction of Woolwich Waves at General Gordon Square.
Greenwich Council agreed to sell the site rather than develop directly or via their off-shoot developer Meridian Homestart. Doing so would have allowed profts to be reinvested into services or enable more lower-cost homes, but the option was not pursued.
Future
The general idea according the the council’s Draft Plan is for high density housing on site.
A total of 310 units are mentioned alongside commercial space. A post looking at what is contained in the Local Plan regarding the site was featured on this site back in January.
Redevelopment should also ensure a view is opened up to the Thames from Hare Street as well as give the foot tunnel building space to breath.
The current structure is wedged up against the tunnel entrance.
The foot tunnel is set to see greater usage in coming years as major developments are built either side of the river. From the north hundreds of homes are set to be built metres away on part of the former North Woolwich station site.
In the south ever more homes are being proposed including sites immediately to the west of the leisure centre as well as Mortgramit Square over the road.
The tunnel leads to Superloop route SL2 which offers a direct link to various parts of east London and modes of transport inlcuding the Shenfield Elizabeth line branch, Greater Anglia services as well as the tube.
Previous development
The centre’s car park was previously sold to Berkeley Homes who have constructed a number of towers in the 15 years since.
The final blocks are now all but complete. In the recent past a Chinese returant has opened at the base of one tower, with an Asian supermarket planned in another.
As for the Waterfront it’s a source of nostalgia for many – me included. Children’s birthday parties messing about on the slide and wave machine.
I took a few photos a while ago of some of the little features still evident, including old logos and signage seen around the back.
That sign is affixed to a later extenion built around the 1990s if memory serves. It had a cafe and was where sign-ups used to be undertaken.
I know I signed up for membership in there around about the mid-2000s. I think it all closed sometime before the entire centre shut.
The Waterfront’s replacement is now open as part of a larger development which will bring hundreds of homes. As part of that work further demoliton will be undertaken, including the former Bull Tavern pub.
