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Greenwich news and information

Olympic Torch Relay route through Greenwich revealed

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FULL details of where you can see the Olympic Torch Relay when it arrives in Greenwich have been revealed.

The flame will start the SE10 leg of its journey in Greenwich Park on Saturday 21st July at 07:21.

It will be carried down to, and through, the newly built equestrian venue in the Park before crossing Romney Road in to the Old Royal Naval College. It will then visit the redeveloped Cutty Sark Gardens and then return to Romney Road to head east.

Torchbearers will carry it along Trafalgar Road and Woolwich Road before turning into Combedale Road and then Westcombe Hill.

Its journey will then take it on to Eltham and it will finish its three hour stint in the borough in Woolwich’s General Gordon Square.

Councillor Chris Roberts, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “This announcement really brings the route to life and it will provide a unique chance for Greenwich residents to share in the excitement of the Olympic spirit as we mark the countdown to the 2012 Games.

It will also be a rare opportunity to support those inspirational Torchbearers who have been chosen to run with the Olympic Flame in the community.”

See the route in full here (via BBC)
See UK-wide route information here (via BBC)


View London 2012 Torch Relay – Royal Greenwich in a larger map

New student housing proposed in East Greenwich

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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?

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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

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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.”

fallen-tree-2

‘High Quality’ development proposed in Woolwich Road

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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

Call for clarity over East Greenwich Library

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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

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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

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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.