A historic South London square is getting a revamp, as part of a £17million investment, to attract more shoppers and discourage day drinking and crime.
Greenwich Council has approved plans for a new building in Beresford Square in Woolwich, including a new toilet hut and coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating.
The plans, sent by Studio Weave on behalf of Greenwich Council, are part of a £17m regeneration project for high streets in the borough.
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Planning documents said the new space is hoped to attract more people to the area, and reduce antisocial behaviour such as crime and day drinking as a result.
Features of the space such as low-level planting will be added to “reduce the opportunity for people to hide weapons”.
Ambient lighting will also be installed at the site to reduce “anxiety and fear” of crime in Woolwich, making the area more inviting.
The plans said: “The key overarching strategy for minimising anti-social behaviour is to increase natural surveillance by increasing footfall on the site.”
Councillor Aidan Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration for Greenwich Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service when the plans were revealed that the proposal was developed after residents and traders in the area voiced the need for public toilets.
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He added: “The new café will boost the food and drink offer in Beresford Square, and will provide an opportunity for an entrepreneurial resident to grow their business, benefitting from the thousands of shoppers that visit the town centre each day.
"Relandscaping the square will enable us to create a more welcoming place for residents and shoppers to relax and unwind, including a new garden to encourage biodiversity.”
The plans will see the current building at the site being updated, which was described as being of “poor quality” by planning officers.
The new garden will also include a water feature and informal play spaces for children.
The revamp plans were approved at a planning meeting for Greenwich Council on Tuesday, February 14.
Eleanor Mack Briggs, planning officer for Greenwich Council, said at the meeting that the landscaping works to the square would add “vitality” to the town centre.
She said: “Numerous public benefits have been identified in relation to the proposal.
"These include a positive impact for Woolwich town centre, 27 trees will be planted, jobs and economic value would be provided.
"Community benefit from enhanced toilet facilities and the Changing Places room will be provided.”
The coffee shop in the new building in Woolwich is proposed to be open from 7.30am to 10.00pm on weekdays, opening at a later time of 9.30am on weekends.
No future occupier has been identified for the space yet.
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