Greenwich Council has approved its portion of an 802-home cross-borough planning application, weeks after Lewisham Council refused the other part. The decision, made at a Planning Board meeting on October 13, sets the stage for the Mayor of London's office or Housing Secretary Angela Rayner to determine the fate of the large-scale residential development by Deptford Creek.
Split Decision on Deptford Creek Towers
The two South London boroughs reached different conclusions on the proposal, which includes several high-rise tower blocks, the tallest reaching 30 storeys. Lewisham refused its part of the scheme on September 24, while Greenwich's Planning Board voted seven to one to approve the 254-home proposal on the east side of the creek, following the recommendation of their planning officers.
During the meeting, officers told committee members they should not give any weight to Lewisham Council's refusal of their portion of the cross-borough proposal. The application faced an objection from the Creekside Education Trust, which argued that the proposal's "environmental legacy" did not go far enough to protect and enhance Deptford Creek, citing insufficient biodiversity enhancement, habitat creation, and river restoration.
Concerns Over Height, Views, and Affordable Housing
Greenwich Park Councillor Stacy Smith read a statement from the trust, saying: "Throughout the planning process, the creek has been ignored or treated as a constraint to be managed, rather than an environmental asset to be enhanced."
Cllr Smith also raised concerns that the 19-storey height of the development on the Greenwich side would negatively impact views from Greenwich Park and overshadow a 10-storey Victorian mill building on Deptford Creek. Fellow Greenwich Park Councillor Karin Tearle shared unease about the tower blocks' height and expressed disappointment in the proposal's affordable housing level, with only 10 of the 254 units on the Greenwich side classed as affordable.
Applicant Highlights Public Access and Biodiversity Gains
Jonathan Marginson, a Senior Director at planning consultancy DP9, spoke on behalf of the applicant RER London. He said the development site was "not contributing to the borough in the way it should" at present. As stressed in the Lewisham planning meeting, Marginson said the development would open up public access to the creek for the first time in over 100 years, an opportunity "that could not be missed." He also noted the proposal involved planting over 200 trees and a biodiversity net gain of over 800 per cent.
When asked whether the level of affordable housing could increase following future viability assessments, another RER representative said "I wish I had a crystal ball" but was optimistic that this was possible.
Next Steps: GLA and Secretary of State Review
Despite the concerns raised, the Planning Board followed the recommendations of Greenwich planners and voted to approve the application seven to one. However, the approval is subject to whatever happens in Lewisham. Following Lewisham Council's refusal last month, that borough's half of the 802-home development was referred to the GLA for determination. If the refusal stands, it will then be referred to the Secretary of State for Housing.
If Lewisham's refusal is overturned, then the entire proposal will be green-lit. If the refusal is upheld, there are provisions within Greenwich Council's approval that mean it can be turned into a refusal to align with Lewisham Council's decision.
