Councillors have given the final go-ahead for new homes on the site of an estate in Charlton that had been allowed to fall derelict. 

The Maryon Grove estate was fenced off in May 2023 after fires broke out in two of the 172 abandoned homes, which had been left open to the elements. It was later demolished.

Most tenants and leaseholders moved out in the mid-2010s but the 16 four-storey blocks had been used for temporary accommodation until two years ago, despite the deteriorating conditions.

Now longstanding plans for a replacement estate, Trinity Rise, with 165 homes, have finally been approved by Greenwich’s planning board, with the project running two years late.

The project is the final part of the One Woolwich scheme to redevelop three dilapidated estates. The Connaught Estate near Woolwich town centre was torn down and replaced with the Trinity Walk development. But the project stalled before work could start at the Morris Walk estate amid disagreements between the council, the developer Lovell and the PA housing association.

Maryon Grove estate
The Maryon Grove estate had been left abandoned two years ago. Image: The Greenwich Wire

The scheme was rescued in 2022 when Greenwich bought back the rights to build 265 council homes at for £87.5 million, including 90 at Maryon Grove.  

Then a further change led to Greenwich cutting its share of Maryon Grove to 53 homes, allowing Lovell to build 33 private homes. Another 79 social-rent homes will be provided by PA.

The plans that were approved on Tuesday night have been rejigged from the original proposals to include houses facing Maryon Road and Maryon Grove, and three six-storey blocks of flats in between. A “green spine” will run through the centre of the site, with an “urban square” outside Woodhill primary school. The estate has been designed by PRP Architects, the firm behind Trinity Walk. 

Render of sloping green space between houses and flats
A “green spine” will run through the estate. Image: Lovell/PRP via council documents

But plans to allow car parking in drives outside the homes on Maryon Road were criticised by Greenwich Peninsula Labour councillor David Gardner. Lovell will have to pay for a consultation into a controlled parking zone in the area as part of the deal.

Only 59 car parking spaces will be provided – down from 138 in the original plans – with residents barred from applying for CPZ permits if one is approved.

Mark Sleigh, from Lovell’s agent Sphere 25, said the company would be able to start work “immediately” on the new homes. 

Houses and flats render
New houses will also face Woodhill primary school on Maryon Grove. Image: Lovell/PRP via council documents

The plans were approved unanimously, with Gardner saying he had to take a wider view beyond his concerns about parking.

“It’s been a very difficult road and there have been a few twists and turns,” he said, referring to the difficulties with Lovell. He said Maryon Grove was “one of the worst estates of its time, one that really suffered in its last few years”. 

“I think this is a vast improvement on the [original] plans. I like the way it mirrors the late Victorian streetscape in Maryon Road and complements that.”

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