Greenwich Council is still working out what to do about a riverside development in Woolwich after late changes to its design were rejected six months ago – after the blocks had already been built.
The council approved the two blocks at Mast Quay, next to the Woolwich Ferry, in 2012, based on designs that showed heavily glazed buildings that the developers said would make them reminiscent of a Thames barge.
But the two towers – which join three other buildings constructed in the 2000s – were finished at the beginning of the year with metal features and grey cladding. One neighbour branded the new development an eyesore when spoken to in February.
They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It looks a lot cheaper than the other older buildings and sticks out on the riverside. When compared to the other new high-rises further down at Royal Arsenal, it’s an eyesore.”
Comer Homes, the company behind the development, admitted that the blocks had been changed in a submission to Greenwich’s planning department. It said the changes were made in light of the Grenfell Tower fire – to remove flammable cladding – and to stop the homes from overheating. It also said that the changes would improve sound insulation.
Planners rejected the changes to Block D – closest to the original development – in February and served notices for breaches of planning conditions and planning contraventions. The changes “represent an overwhelming and significant change to the proposed development as originally approved”, a report said. No application features in Greenwich’s planning applications portal for Block E, closest to the Woolwich Ferry, even though it had undergone similar changes.
“The use of a light grey in this instance is not considered appropriate as it is likely to weather poorly due to the location of the site adjacent to the A206 and the Woolwich Ferry, both of which see large numbers of vehicles travelling past the site,” it added, pointing out that the impact of the change on the nearby St Mary Magdalene church – a listed landmark – had not been taken into account.
In theory, Greenwich could order demolition, although residents appear to have already moved into Block E. However, developers can be fined for breaching planning conditions, or they can be invited to reapply for permission – or apply for a major change – which could involve them having to justify their changes to a panel of councillors.
A Greenwich Council spokesperson told The Greenwich Wire: “The enforcement investigation is ongoing. The council has a number of options open to it, and we intend to reach a conclusion on the most appropriate action soon.”
Comer Group has not responded to a request for comment made a week ago.
In Comer’s rejected application to the council, the Dublin-based company Plus Architecture said that regulations had “changed significantly” in the decade since the development was approved and that the developer had made the changes to achieve “the highest standards of thermal efficiency and safety”.
Changes are due to two of the original blocks, with proposals to remove flammable cladding approved by Greenwich planning officers last month.
Additional reporting by Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
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