Greenwich’s Ikea store could get a 20-storey tower for a neighbour after the developers of the Millennium Village submitted new plans for the final phase of the site.
But neighbours are unhappy because a planned green space would be built upon as part of the scheme. They say the development’s slogan of “village life in the city” now rings hollow.
The new plans, which come nearly 25 years after the first residents moved into Greenwich Millennium Village, would include a 20-storey residential tower at the junction of Peartree Way and Bugsbys Way.
This replaces a plan for a six-storey commercial building that was approved in February 2021 as part of wider proposals for the area.
However, what has also enraged some residents in GMV is that the tower would be joined by a large block of up to nine storeys with a central courtyard – whereas the scheme approved four years ago had green space there, including a formal grove of trees and a woodland garden.
Together, the two new blocks, which would be opposite Ikea, would have 258 homes, of which 56 would be for social rent and 31 for shared ownership. The rest – including all the homes in the tower – would be sold privately. There would also be three commercial units.
Initial plans for the later stages of GMV, approved in 2012, did not include the open space facing onto Bugsbys Way. Later reworkings of the scheme included the creation of an open space on land initially earmarked for housing, known as plots 501 and 502.
But Greenwich Millennium Village Ltd says it had always made clear it was planning to build on plots 501 and 502. It now says that it needs to build there first so an adjacent section of GMV can be finished, and that the tower – plot 503 – would be finished last of all.
“This plan is an insult to everyone who chose to live here believing in the original promise of a green, low-rise community,” Paul Turner, a GMV resident, told The Greenwich Wire. “They’re ripping up our open space to cram in another tower, ignoring years of resident feedback. It’s not progress, it’s greed, and if we don’t object now, we’ll lose the character and liveability of our neighbourhood forever.”
“This proposal completely undermines the vision we were sold when we moved here – a balanced, community-centred development with open green spaces and thoughtful design,” Sylvia Williams, a committee member of the Greenwich Millennium Village Residents’ Association said.
“Replacing this with a 20-storey tower would erode the very character of the area and diminish residents’ quality of life. We urge everyone to object before it’s too late to preserve the integrity of our neighbourhood.”
Greenwich Millennium Village Ltd told The Greenwich Wire in a statement: “The original masterplan consented a taller building (up to 20 storeys) and for the 500s to be occupied by residential and commercial buildings. Whilst the detailed consent for the 500s included a commercial building on part of the land with landscaping on the remainder, the last masterplan amendment and 500s reserved matters application stated that the intention was to return to deliver residential development on the land.
“Our proposal seeks to transform a currently inaccessible site into a mix of much needed private sale, shared ownership and socially rented homes. Alongside this it will provide new commercial opportunities facing onto Trathen Square, and new public spaces and soft landscaping areas, which will deliver a number of publicly accessible open areas and play spaces for all residents.”
The new plan could mean Ikea is surrounded by towers on both sides, with 1,251 flats approved for the store’s car park in June.
Plans for the new GMV tower can be seen on the Greenwich Council planning website.
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