New Woolwich development will bring 400 homes to town centre

The new application stands as an extension to a previously consented scheme beside the site, with the final project delivering over 400 homes.

Planning documents from Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson, on behalf of Hurlington Capital and QIP, said the scheme is an extension to a previously consented project for a 14-storey block of 299 student rooms from the same developers on the former Woolwich Catholic Club site. Both buildings are intended to be internally and externally connected and function as a single structure.

Amenity spaces and other services are planned to be shared between the blocks. The roof of the new structure would include games and study areas, as well as planting to help encourage students to get involved with gardening.

The plans said: “The roof terrace will provide amenity space for students to socialise, study, garden and relax, whilst providing an environment to increase biodiversity and sustainability. A high-quality terrace will be created through the careful selection of furniture, landscaping and planting.”

CGI shows how the blocks could look from Beresford Street The site is beside Woolwich’s Premier Inn hotel and sits close to the Royal Arsenal Conservation Area. The application claimed the setting of the nearby listed buildings may be impacted by the structure. This includes the Grade I listed Royal Brass Foundry, which was built in 1716 and was originally used to cast brass cannons.

The Grade II listed Main Guardroom sits beside the foundry, and was used by the army after being originally built in 1788. Planning documents said the choice of bricks for the new building had been inspired by nearby listed assets such as the Royal Arsenal Gatehouse on Beresford Square.

The other side of the proposed development is confronted by the Macbean Street redevelopment site, which was purchased by developer Re:shape Living earlier this year to deliver over 1,350 new homes in a co-living and student development.