Greenwich Hospital has confirmed that it will be appealing against the Council’s decision to reject its market regeneration plans.
The decision – first reported on this site yesterday by Andrew Gilligan – was relayed to traders at a meeting last night and confirmed by Greenwich Hospital in a press release this morning.
Greenwich Hospital will be asking the Planning Inspectorate to consider the same proposal that was unanimously rejected by Greenwich Council’s Planning Board last August.
Martin Sands, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said:
“The Hospital’s criteria for the regeneration of Greenwich Market has always been that any improvements to the Hospital’s properties in Greenwich town centre would need to:
- Retain the diversity of shops and stalls.
- Be architecturally, physically and financially viable.
- Be capable of standing the test of time.
- Be mindful of Greenwich’s status as a World Heritage Site and as a
- Maritime Heritage Site.
- Complement Greenwich’s unique position as a tourist and retail
- destination.
Greenwich Hospital continues to believe that the market regeneration scheme which was not approved by Greenwich Council in August 2009 meets the above criteria.
Greenwich Hospital says that if permission is granted, work will not begin until 2013.
In an interview with Greenwich.co.uk last December, Nick Raynsford MP said “I think that if they appeal they have a very good chance of success“.
Update: A spokesperson for Greenwich Council has told Greenwich.co.uk:
The council will defend the unanimous decision of its Planning Board and would urge all residents who opposed the scheme to make representations to the planning inspectorate.
Well, its up to the residents of Greenwich that oppose destruction of this historic structure to the detriment of the context of the ancient market in its ancient site to speak their mind. Let us remember that the change is irreversible and that the new build is of low quality with no link to the historical building styles all around, that it will be visible from Greenwich Park and from street level from both the World heritage site and Creek Road, like some giant parasite attached to the historic centre of Greenwich, and that it will change the feel of the market from historical treasure to Bluewater forecourt. A much more modest refurbishment of the market structure with upgrading of surrounding buildings with new food court facilities and such like is surely a better option. I will be writing to the enquiry!
Do Greenwich Hospital pay no attention to popular opinion AT ALL? Time to give this a resounding no as they don’t seem to have heard first time
I think that there are a number of problems with the planning application that stand alongside its general unpopularity with residents.
Aesthetically the design is ‘off the peg’ and is very similar to Stratford Bus Station – which is fine for a transport hub but not so appropriate for a World Heritage Site
To be mindful of Greenwich’s position as a World Heritage Site the architecture should be sympathetic to its surrounds – this includes not spoiling the eyeline of surrounding buildings
Is an hotel the best option for the town right now? We already have Ibis, Devenport, Holiday Inn and Novotel and there are plans for two more hotels currently at planning stage
Any redevelopment to one of Greenwich’s last two remaining markets should involve residents in conceptualising. Greenwich Hospital “consulted2 and got a resounding NO. They need to go back to the drawing board and develop something that the town actually needs and which would benefit both the community and the town’s status as tourist destination.
Let’s not stand for third best again.
I was in the historic market last weekend and I cannot see how it can be made more of an attraction. It was full to over flowing – a state of affairs that any dusty high street parade of shops would deeply envy! Refurbishment, improved roof material, replacement of tacky concrete pavers with granite sets, upgrading of the surrounding buildings in a sympathetic style and the creation of a dedicated food court – modest in cost and what this very successful attraction needs. But then, I suspect that Greenwich Hospital sees the site as a cash cow to sustain its posh school provision at the expense of the market site, which is probably seen as a nuisance that does not generate what a hotel might. Lets see what ‘consultation’ takes place now given that the opinion must have been made very clear at the council meeting at which the proposal was unanimously rejected!
It’s a simple choice between Greenwich’s shabby chic market or Greenwich Hospital’s sanitised airport terminal. If you want to experience what can happen to a gritty central London market you need to visit Smithfield’s refubishment – the Hospital’s architects drawings seem almost identical to the prissy, sterile space that was once a rambling but characterful area.
Of course it’s all about money – you wouldn’t blame the landlords for squeezing the last buck out of their investment – but let’s not forget that the planning committee are attuned to public opinion. The more voices raised against the redevelopment the less likely it is to happen.
Agree with all the above comments – what’s the matter with the Hospital Trust? How do we object? Anybody got the relevant name and address?