New student housing proposed in East Greenwich

A DEVELOPER has applied for planning permission to build new student accommodation in East Greenwich.

The 49-bed,  five-storey block is proposed in Denham Street, just off Woolwich Road. The site was previously used as  a depot and offices for Lewis Coaches.

The developer hopes to benefit from requirement for student homes from both the University of Greenwich and Ravensbourne College.

A letter from the University of Greenwich submitted with the application confirms they have “unsatisfied demand for student accommodation” in the vicinity of their campus at the Old Royal Naval College.

The applicant behind the scheme is Mr David Purewall of Greenwich. It is proposed that the site be used as a car wash until the planning decision for the student accommodation is reached.

New homes to replace Old Friends?

A fresh bid to demolish the former Old Friends pub in Woolwich Road has been submitted to Greenwich Council.

The owners, the William Hatcliffe Estate charity, want to replace the disused public house with a three storey building – rising to four at the rear –  offering commercial units at ground level and nine apartments above.

Developers say that the scheme would “re-activate [the] street frontage”, “re-provide accommodation” and replace a derelict building with a “high quality design.”

The development has been designed to be car-free and all nine homes, seven two-bed flats and two one-bed flats, are intended for the private market.

The Hatcliffe estate won planning permission last year to redevelop nearby 17-23 Woolwich Road.

A previous application to demolish the pub, which closed in 2007, was refused last year.

Daily Photo: 11/11/2010 – Fallen Tree

Thanks to Fergal for sending me this picture of a fallen tree at Glenister Green. It has come down in today’s high winds and landed right by the pedestrian crossing on Woolwich Road near the junction near Annandale Road.

Fergal writes, “It’s clear from the broken stump that the tree was riddled with rot, which makes me wonder if any of the other trees there are in the same condition and likely to come down with the next big storm.”

‘High Quality’ development proposed in Woolwich Road

Developers want to demolish part of a Victorian terrace to build new ‘high quality’ homes and commercial space in Woolwich Road.

Local property owners, the William Hatcliffe Estate, have applied for planning permission to knock down the former council offices at 17-23 Woolwich Road which are on the corner of Hatcliffe Road

They propose replacing the building with new commercial space, for use as shops, restaurants or offices, on the ground floor, and 9 new apartments above.

The new property would be in a similar style to the existing terrace with the addition of a new mansard roof to provide another storey of accommodation.

Developers say they considered other options such as refurbishing the property, or retaining the original frontage, but opted to demolish the properties and rebuild in a style that would match the neighbouring terrace.

See the planning application on the Greenwich Council website here.

How it looks now

Developers’ illustration of how it would look if their plans get the go ahead

Daily Photo: 20/07/2010 – Jersey Tiger

Thanks to regular contributor Indigo for this picture of a moth that was seen on a wall at the junction of Woolwich Road and Farmdale Road. We think it’s a Jersey Tiger.

Call for clarity over East Greenwich Library

Dave Sharman, a Green Party candidate for the Peninsula ward, has written to Greenwich Council asking for assurances that East Greenwich Library will not be closed.

The library, donated to the community by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, is also home to Greenwich Community College’s Meridian Music Centre.

Greenwich Community College is currently undertaking a consultation process on the courses it can afford to offer after it had a 10% cut imposed on its “Adult Learner Responsive” budget this year.

The review involves all aspects of the college, including the Meridian Music Centre, although local Greens claim that staff have already been told the music centre will close at the end of this academic year.

Dave Sharman commented: “I hope the music college’s planned closure is not part of a wider project to do away with the library by stealth – the people of East Greenwich will not stand for that”

Cllr John Fahy, Greenwich Cabinet Member for Culture and Olympics, commented that “the Scheme [to refurbish the library] and Estimate is being costed and work will commence shortly“.

He added that he would continue to work with the Friends of East Greenwich Library and Ward Councillors ”to maximise a long term future for the building“.

Motorcyclist hurt on Woolwich Road

Road closures were put in to place around Woolwich Road and Blackwall lane last Wednesday after a nasty road traffic accident involving a motorcycle and another vehicle.

Police closed roads from early morning through to 11.30am.

Initial reports from local shopkeepers suggested that there may have been fatality but Greenwich.co.uk has been informed that this was not the case.

If you know any more about this incident, please email news@greenwich.co.uk

Cyclist seriously injured after being hit by lorry

A female cyclist was left seriously injured yesterday after being hit by a lorry in Greenwich.

The incident happened at the junction of Vanbrugh Hill and Woolwich Road on Monday.

No further details are yet known but this article will be updated as soon as more information is made available.

In May this year, a female cyclist was killed after colliding with a lorry at the junction of the A102(M) and Woolwich Road.

See also: Greenwich Phantom

UPDATE – The Metropolitan Police have not confirmed any further details at all about this, but local sources have told Greenwich.co.uk that the victim was 66 year old Stella Chandler and that she has since died due to her injuries.

Daily Photo: 17/11/09 – The Blue Building

The Blue Building in Woolwich Road, Greenwich. Seems that the ground floor is still waiting for its promised nursery?

Daily Photo: 13/11/09 – Abans Convenient Store

Abans Off Licence at 8 Woolwich Road. Also, a “convenient store” – which I guess is similar to a convenience store.

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