A Greenwich Council-backed developer has applied to build 45 new homes across two sites in Woolwich and Abbey Wood.

Meridian Home Start is planning to convert an old office block on Artillery Place, opposite Woolwich Barracks, into 17 homes, by adding two floors to the block and building an extension to the rear.

Meanwhile, in Penmon Road, Abbey Wood, the company plans to build a five-storey block with 28 flats on vacant land next to St Paul’s Academy.

The company was founded by Greenwich Council more than a decade ago to build “affordable” housing, and later spun off to become an independent entity. Residents would pay 80 per cent of market rents at these sites – higher than the 65 per cent charged at its previous projects.

Developers' renders
As well as the roof extension, a house would be built at the rear. Image: Meridian Home Start/RM Architects

Last year Meridian Home Start won approval for a seven-storey block close to Oxleas Woods, two years after a nine-storey block was rejected by both Greenwich councillors and a planning inspector because of its impact on the cherished woodland around it.

The company has also built 46 flats at Vincent Road, next to Woolwich Arsenal station, as well as other projects in Charlton, Kidbrooke and Eltham, all on land transferred from the council.

The dilapidated block on Artillery Place was built in the 1920s and was previously the headquarters of a housing association, Simba. Meridian plans to knock down existing outbuildings and build a three-storey, three-bedroom home at the rear, as well as adding the extra two floors and cleaning the brickwork.

The Penmon Road site was originally the entrance to Abbey Wood School, which closed in 2009, and was deemed surplus to requirements when the old school was knocked down and St Paul’s Academy built in its place. Most of the flats would be one- or two-bedroom homes, with just four three-bed flats provided. 

Developers' render of brand new block
The Penmon Road site was formerly the entrance to Abbey Wood School. Image: Meridian Home Start/ RM Architects

The site provides an “exciting opportunity for residential development on an underutilised car park site close to Eynsham Drive neighbourhood centre and Abbey Wood Park”, according to planning documents.

The Artillery Place and Penmon Road plans, which were first published last month, can be found on the Greenwich Council planning website.

📩 Follow The Greenwich Wire on Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn or Threads. You can also sign up for WhatsApp alerts – or subscribe to our emails through the blue box above.