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London MP opposes 1,500-home development over tower height concerns
A London MP has written to Greenwich Council to oppose a new 1,500-home development in the borough over concerns about the height of its planned high rises.
Matthew Pennycook, Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, wrote to Greenwich Council’s planning board on Tuesday to outline his opposition against developer U+I’s proposed scheme on Greenwich Peninsula.
The proposal itself is yet to be put to the planning board, but current plans include four tower blocks ranging at heights between 21 to 36 storeys.
In his letter Mr Pennycook said these heights would be “wholly inappropriate” and would “have a marked detrimental impact on the existing character of the area”.
He confirmed that he supports the principle of a mixed-use development on the proposed site and his opposition is focused on the fact that the proposed high rises “would not just be marginally higher than existing buildings in the area, they would represent and abrupt and dramatic increase in building heights relative to adjacent existing tall buildings”.
The tallest residential building currently in the area stands at 18 storeys, he added.
Mr Pennycook also argued that “the proposed towers would have a significant impact on views from the Maritime Greenwich world heritage site” and that they would “result in substantial harm to the character and appearance of the East Greenwich conservation area”.
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The mixed-use development would make up a major phase of the huge Greenwich Peninsula housing development in east London, which contains thousands of homes.
The brownfield industrial site on the Greenwich Peninsula has been part owned by U+I and Morden College, an independent charity established in Greenwich, since 2012.
Of the 1,500 homes proposed for delivery, 35% would be affordable tenures and 10% will be accessible for wheelchairs. It will include four tower blocks of 21, 25, 30 and 36 storeys.
Planning permission has been granted for a development on an adjoining site for three buildings at heights of 24, 27 and 32 storeys.
In his letter Mr Pennycook acknowledged this, but maintains that the landowner in this case does not intend to build to the height the permission gives.
U+I carried out a public exhibition of plans in September and October 2019, with the developer reporting that two-thirds of responses were supportive or strongly supportive of the proposals.
Since public consultation began, plans have been changed to incorporate increased distance between the towers and a slimmer profile. The development is proposed to be completed by 2030.
In response to the letter from Mr Pennycook, the developer said: “Our proposals for Morden Wharf will turn what is currently an under-used, brownfield industrial site into a new mixed-use neighbourhood, centred on a new three-acre riverside park which will be open to the public.
“As well as providing 1,500 much-needed homes – 35% of which will be affordable – new commercial and employment space across the site will generate around 1,100 permanent new jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy.
“Proposals have been developed in close consultation with the local community and the design of all buildings has been carefully considered to ensure they are in-keeping with the emerging context on the Peninsula.”
Greenwich Council said it could not comment as the proposal has not yet gone to the planning board.
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