Local people have one month to say what they think should happen to Woolwich’s historic barracks after the Ministry of Defence sells most of the site.
A consultation into the future of the barracks has been opened by Greenwich Council, which has long been opposed to the army pulling out of Woolwich.
The MInistry of Defence confirmed plans to sell off most of the barracks, the former headquarters of the Royal Artillery, five years ago.
Greenwich Council is now drawing up a masterplan for the site, which could include new housing as well as opening up Repository Woods – an walled-off open space between Charlton and Woolwich that is still used for military exercises – to the public.
The army would not be completely moving out – The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery would still use Napier Lines, Barrack Field and part of Woolwich Common, although the ceremonial unit’s smaller home would need new planning approval.
Army housing at Green Hill is also out of scope, according to the consultation.
Much of the site, which includes Woolwich Common, is protected as metropolitan open land, and most of the land that could be developed would be behind the listed 17th century Royal Artillery Barracks. It is currently used as army accommodation and offices, with its own internal road network, but is largely screened off from the area by high walls.
Removing some of these walls, which block off the barracks from Woolwich town centre, is mentioned as a possibility in the council’s consultation document. The council is also seeking opinions on what to do with the parade grounds in front of the barracks building.
The area also includes the Rotunda – the old Royal Artillery Museum that has been closed to the public since 1998 and is in a poor condition.
Army barracks once dominated the south side of Woolwich, stretching into the town centre as late as the 1960s, but the military has been reducing its presence there since then.
Council leader Anthony Okereke said: “Greenwich has a unique military history that we are rightly proud of. While we would prefer for Woolwich Barracks to remain as a military barracks, we understand that a decision has been made by the Ministry of Defence to sell the site.
“We therefore want to make sure that any future development is done in a way that preserves the things that make our borough so special, and respects the role that heritage sites like Woolwich Barracks hold in creating a sense of place for our communities.
Plans to consult on the site have been held up by the general election and a series of council by-elections: the consultation document is still dated July 2024, despite being officially published seven months later.
The consultation is open until March 17 on the Commonplace website.
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