The developer behind a new set of tower blocks up to 35 storeys tall planned for East Greenwich has been asked to reduce the height of the scheme by two storeys.
The request was made by Greenwich Council to address concerns on how the buildings would impact views from the neighbouring World Heritage Site.
Three blocks of three, 23 and 35 storeys were proposed for the scheme, called Enderby Place, which would add 564 new homes to the site on Telcon Way.
The project would also add a residential garden between the three blocks along with space for a café and shops.
The topic was discussed at a planning meeting for Greenwich Council on May 21.
Council officers and the applicant both noted that the council had already given permission for another residential development north of the site in Morden Wharf, with blocks up to 36 storeys tall.
Labour Councillor Rowshan Hannan, representing the East Greenwich ward, spoke at the meeting on behalf of Peter Marsden of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.
The representative said they were concerned about how the height of the scheme would affect views from the nearby World Heritage Site, which he claimed generated £850 million in revenue for the borough each year.
Cllr Hannan said, on behalf of Mr Marsden: “We consider that the height of the tallest proposed structure of 35 storeys… is likely to undermine the stepping down objective [from Morden Wharf], resulting in Enderby Place having visual prominence and potentially creating a table topping effect in views to and from the World Heritage Site when seen against other consented and existing tall buildings.”
Mr Marsden requested that the height of the tallest block in the proposal be reduced by at least two storeys and that they be redistributed to the two lower structures in the scheme.
Tim Barnes, speaking on behalf of the Greenwich Society, agreed with the suggestion.
He said that the height of the tallest tower of the scheme would be intrusive from multiple views and felt the neighbouring Morden Wharf project should not be taken as a precedent.
The application followed a previously permitted scheme on the site for 477 new homes in three blocks up to 32 storeys tall. Tim Bysted, speaking on behalf of Criterion Capital, said at the meeting that the new project would deliver much needed housing to the borough.
He said the proposal put forward was developed with consideration to all relevant constraints and the developer acknowledged that there was no ‘perfect scheme’ that would tick every box.
Planning consultant Luke Raistrick said at the meeting: “The proposal before you is the result of extensive consultation with the council, the [Greater London Authority], the public and many other community and technical stakeholders. It delivers a number of significant benefits far in excess of the extant planning permission.”
The developers agreed at the meeting to rework the scheme to reduce the tallest tower by two storeys and redistribute them to the other two blocks.
The proposal was deferred for a decision to be made by the planning board at a later date.
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