Greenwich Council has confirmed it will sell three of its car parks at public auction, a move designed to generate essential revenue but one that has provoked significant opposition from local shopkeepers and residents.
Assets listed for auction to tackle financial shortfall
The Labour-led authority has put three sites near shopping parades up for sale: the Old Dover Road Car Park in Blackheath, the Abery Street Car Park next to Plumstead High Street, and the Charlton Village Car Park. The collective guide price for the land is just over £1.1 million, with the auction scheduled for midday on December 11.
Council Leader Anthony Okereke stated the decision was driven by severe financial pressures. "I don't wake up and dream of selling car parks," he said. "Sadly, we have had to sell some of our assets just so we can keep our frontline services going." The sales are intended to help plug the council's predicted £45 million budget gap.
Business backlash and petitions
The announcement has been met with fierce criticism. Two separate petitions, each signed by over 200 residents, have been presented to the council, with additional online campaigns springing up in opposition. Business owners and shoppers fear the loss of parking will drive away customers and further harm struggling high streets.
At a full council meeting on December 3, residents directly challenged the plans. Gary Dark questioned the council's assessment that the Charlton car park was underused, noting usage was recorded for only three days. The council revealed that over a weekend in September, the 18-space Charlton site was used 71 times and was operating at a loss of £890 per year.
Maria Freeman argued that Plumstead High Street businesses were not consulted before the sale was announced, calling for the process to be halted. The public gallery reacted with groans and shouts of "rubbish" when a cabinet member suggested the council's focus was on supporting businesses through "changing times," rather than just providing parking.
Political row over 'Project Fear'
The issue has sparked a heated political row. Conservative opposition leader Matt Hartley accused the council of treating local businesses "abysmally" and criticised Cllr Okereke for not meeting with business owners in 2025 despite requests.
Cllr Okereke retaliated, accusing Hartley of engineering "Project Fear" and blaming central government cuts for forcing the council to sell assets. "Project Fear started when his government put cuts to this council," Okereke said, "and has left this council in a deficit where we can't close the budget to the point that his government said that we need to sell assets just so we can keep libraries open."
Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Majid Rahman, defended the sales, stating the car parks were "poorly used" and that keeping loss-making assets could not be justified. The council confirmed all three sites will remain open until a sale is completed.
