Plans to significantly expand a major residential development in Woolwich town centre have been given the green light, despite concerns raised by a neighbouring Sikh temple about fire risks and potential noise complaints from future residents.
Development expansion approved
On November 18, Greenwich Council's Planning Board unanimously approved proposals to increase the number of homes being built behind the borough's new flagship leisure centre, Woolwich Waves, which is scheduled to open next month. The decision came after developer Hill Residential, working in partnership with Greenwich Council, sought changes to the original housing scheme approved in 2022.
The revised plans will see the total number of flats increase from 482 to 557, with the introduction of build-to-rent units and height increases for some tower blocks. The tallest building will now reach 20 storeys, up from the originally planned 18 storeys. In a positive move for local housing needs, the affordable housing provision within the scheme has also increased from 35 per cent to 38 per cent, with all designated as social rent properties.
Temple raises safety and noise concerns
The Ramgarhia Sikh Association Woolwich, a Sikh temple on Masons Hill that has served the local community since 1967, finds itself situated just two metres from where one of the new tower blocks will be constructed. A representative of the temple addressed the Planning Board meeting, emphasising they were "not objecting to the development per se" but held significant concerns about the project's proximity.
"Our first concern is fire," the representative stated. "Our building is a heritage building from the 1800s. Anything falling from that height onto the Sikh temple is going to cause a massive risk to the building itself."
The temple also fears that new residents moving into the development might complain about noise generated during religious ceremonies and prayer events, some of which can run for 24 hours. "Our temple has been here and we have served the local community for over 60 years," the representative explained. "Our concern relating to the noise is that there are balconies in very close proximity to our temple and there could be concerns from new residents who start complaining about noise levels."
Council and developer responses
A Greenwich planning officer sought to alleviate fire safety fears, stating that the new tower blocks would be designed with fire safety in mind and that their façades would be created "not to catch fire and fall off the building". Regarding noise concerns, the officer suggested that the additional homes "doesn't really present any greater risk in terms of noise disturbance" and that acoustic thresholds implemented by the developer made problems "unlikely".
A representative for Hill Residential acknowledged the temple's community importance and expressed confidence that nearby residents would not be disturbed by temple activities. The developer committed to continuing dialogue with the temple, stating: "We intend to be good neighbours and I'm sure they do too."
The approved proposal also involves the demolition of The Bull Tavern, a locally listed pub on Vincent Road that was originally slated for retention. While some councillors criticised the loss of the historic building, others supported the decision, with one councillor describing the vacant pub as a "dump" and highlighting Woolwich Waves as the potential community "glue" for the new development.
