GREENWICH Council's leader is opposing a charity's plans to bulldoze the borough's renowned market, saying he will "not entertain" the idea.

In a letter to News Shopper, Councillor Chris Roberts reassured traders and visitors the council would not permit radical plans to build a large block of flats on the Greenwich Market site.

He blasted the charity Greenwich Hospital which owns the site and is behind the plans and said the trust is "slowly killing Greenwich as a place of unique character".

The Peninsula ward councillor also condemned the trust for "systematically" driving traders out of the market with price hikes which have risen as much as 53 per cent over the past four years.

He said: "The council is alarmed at this aspect of the Greenwich Hospital Trust's proposals.

"The market's individual style is one reason why seven million people choose to visit Greenwich every year and why so many who live and move here fall so totally in love with the area."

Tentative proposals shown to MP Nick Raynsford last month included the demolition of the historic market, home to 130 stallholders, as well as 30 shops immediately around it.

Mr Raynsford said the impact of demolishing the market would be "drastic" and "highly controversial" and has advised the trust not to proceed with the planning application.

He said: "My hope is Greenwich Hospital Trust will have a further think on these drastic and highly controversial proposals."

Greenwich Hospital Trust director John Chadwick said it was considering a range of ideas to improve the properties in Greenwich after recognising more needs to be done to maintain them.

He insisted: "We would not consider putting something in which does not have the full support of the community."

In response to the letter sent to News Shopper, Mr Chadwick said the council had not had the "courtesy" to show it to him.

Greenwich Town Centre Traders' Association chairman Rob Toogood held a private meeting with traders yesterday.

He said rumours have been circulating for months about the future of the market, but he felt reassured by Greenwich Council's opposition to the plans.


HOSPITAL'S LAND AND HERITAGE

Greenwich Hospital is a Crown charity established in 1694 to provide charitable support to sick, elderly and disabled sailors. It is not to be confused with the provision of NHS care.

The charity owns much of the town centre, including Greenwich Market.

Even though the council does not own the land, it has the final say when it comes to planning decisions. It is thought proposal will be submitted to the council in June.

Other suggestions include redeveloping Greenwich Pier.

Mr Chadwick has not ruled out chain stores coming to the area. He says smaller independent stores will have to support themselves commercially.