Plans for a giant development of student flats next to Deptford Creek have been scaled back after fears were raised about the effect on historic views from Greenwich.

In December 2023 Your Tribe and the investment company Redington Capital submitted plans for 15 and 20-storey towers on the Deptford side of the creek, on land between the low-rise Millennium Quay development and Creek Road. The company already has permission for another block nearby and is hoping to build a third one in the vicinity too.

But after Historic England voiced concerns about views from both Greenwich town centre and St Paul’s Church in Deptford, the blocks have been trimmed to 17 and 13 storeys. The number of student beds has been cut from 700 to 598.

Low-rise buildings by Creek Road
The development would replace the Greenwich Quay office development finished in the early 2000s. Image: Google Streetview

The plot of land, historically known as Crown Wharf, was a scrapyard until the 1990s and later became a office development called Greenwich Quay, some of which has been converted into housing.

In particular, Historic England had expressed concerns about views from the Old Royal Naval College. New images show the proposed development just peeking above the skyline.

Both Greenwich and Lewisham councils have recently given permission for a number of tall buildings along the creek.

The new development (in blue) from the Old Royal Naval College. The tower on the left is the 23-storey Union Wharf block, also on the Deptford side of the creek. Image: Your Tribe/Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher/ City Designer

Your Tribe already has permission to build a 27-storey block on the Greenwich side of the creek with 414 rooms. The site at Ravensbourne Wharf, including the temporary Old Joinery bar, was recently cleared so work can begin. 

But there have been fears that Greenwich town centre risks losing its cherished world heritage status because of the number of tall buildings – particularly since Liverpool lost its status in 2021 because of the number of new developments along the Mersey, including the new Everton football stadium. 

On the Deptford side of the creek, a 23-storey tower was built at Union Wharf. Lewisham gave permission for 29-storey and 26-storey blocks on the site next door in 2020: while updated designs were filed two years ago, the plans for Creekside Village East are yet to be formally signed off.

Drawing of tower block at end of road
The view from the Greenwich end of Creek Road. Image: Your Tribe/Carey Jones Chapman Tolcher

Gary Dillon, Greenwich’s chair of planning, suggested in December 2023 that his council needed to think about “where we draw the line” on tall buildings.

The area between Greenwich and Deptford town centres has long been a hotspot for student housing. In particular, Your Tribe hopes to have over 1,600 rooms in the area in the coming years.

As well as Crown Wharf and Ravensbourne Wharf, the company has also taken over a development at Sun Wharf, on Creekside.

Lewisham councillors approved two blocks of 19 and seven storeys, containing 220 flats, in 2022. But Your Tribe says that changes to building regulations mean this is no longer feasible. It is now planning 614 student bedrooms and 50 flats for people on Lewisham’s housing waiting list.

Another developer Fifth State, was given permission for 231 rooms on the Art Hub site at the south end of Creekside last summer.The revised plans for Crown Wharf are on the Greenwich Council planning website.

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