Mast Quay Decision: Blocks Will Be Allowed to Stay Standing
The Greenwich Council has decided that the buildings at Mast Quay can remain, despite previous orders for demolition
Greenwich, UK, Mast Quay, Comer Homes, Housing, Planning
Greenwich: So, here’s the scoop. The Greenwich Council had told Comer Homes to tear down those buildings back in September 2023. They claimed there were a bunch of issues with the planning permission from 2012.
We’re talking about two tall buildings, 23 and 15 stories high, right on Woolwich Church Street, with 204 flats inside. Quite a sight!
Comer wasn’t having it and appealed the decision. They had an inquiry from July to September last year, and the verdict came out on January 9.
The Planning Inspector, John Braithwaite, noted that Comer admitted the original plans weren’t followed, and the buildings didn’t have proper planning permission.
But here’s the twist: the inspector pointed out that the council must have seen the construction happening, especially since they accepted changes to the plans until January 2023.
The inspector said it was pretty obvious that the development was in progress, given its size and location.
In the end, they granted planning permission for the buildings as they are now. The inspector mentioned that the 204 flats, including 28 affordable ones, would really help with the housing shortage in the area.
Some features of the buildings were even praised, like how they look without those wrap-around balconies, giving the 23-story block a nice slender appearance.
However, Comer has three years to make 11 changes to the buildings, or the council’s demolition order will kick back in.
One of the changes includes swapping out those bright orange panels for a more neutral color, which the council thinks will look better next to the nearby buildings.
The inspector also pointed out that the orange panels wouldn’t fade and would remain an eyesore over time.
Other required changes involve adding fire-resistant glass to balconies, making the flats wheelchair accessible, and marketing the residents’ gym as a commercial space like it was supposed to be.
Comer has to submit a detailed work plan to the council within three months of this decision.
On top of that, they need to cough up £2.3 million to support local facilities and another £4.4 million for affordable housing, since only 13% of the units are affordable.
Interestingly, the council got a partial cost award against Comer because they dropped one of their appeal points after the inquiry started, which wasted some council resources.
The inspector also took into account what residents thought. Those in the first phase of Mast Quay mostly wanted the buildings gone, while those in the second phase preferred they stay.
A local group, the Save Our Sails Action Group, told the council last July that they thought the blocks were well-built and didn’t deserve to be demolished.
A spokesperson for Comer said they were pleased with the inquiry’s outcome and looked forward to working with the council to resolve things positively.
Meanwhile, a council spokesperson emphasized that this was a significant case and they stand firm on holding developers accountable for any unlawful actions in the borough.