Greenwich Council Poised to Approve Contentious Flat Block Extension
Plans to add an extra floor to a five-storey block of flats in Greenwich are moving toward approval, three years after a similar proposal was dismissed. The revised scheme for Woodlands Heights on Vanbrugh Hill will be discussed at Greenwich Council’s Local Planning Committee meeting on February 19, with officers recommending approval despite significant local opposition.
Revised Proposal Addresses Previous Refusal Concerns
This development follows a previous planning application that was refused on appeal in 2023. The earlier roof extension was deemed overly dominant, negatively impacting both Woodlands Heights itself and nearby streets. Specifically, Greenwich Council ruled it would harm living conditions for residents of Lasseter Place, located just south of the 1920s building, through loss of sunlight, increased overshadowing, and a heightened sense of enclosure.
The new application, submitted by Avon Group in May 2025, introduces several key modifications. The unit mix has shifted from two one-bedroom and six two-bedroom flats to six one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units. Additionally, a communal roof terrace has been replaced with private balconies to mitigate potential noise issues, and the extension on the southern side has been setback by four metres to reduce its impact on Lasseter Place.
Strong Resident Opposition Persists
Despite these changes, the planning application has attracted 125 objections from Greenwich residents. Many argue that the proposal remains fundamentally similar to the previously rejected one, though Greenwich Council has classified it as substantially different. Objectors maintain that the new floor will adversely affect the amenity of neighbouring properties, particularly those in Lasseter Place, and express concerns about potential overloading of the building’s structure and increased pressure on services.
Local organisations, including the Blackheath Society, the Westcombe Society Environment Committee, the Greenwich Society, and Friends of Westcombe Woodlands, have also registered objections. The Blackheath Society stated, We note that the last application in relation to Woodland Heights went to appeal and the Inspector’s decision, refusing the application, was as recent as September 2023. Unless there are compelling reasons why the current application should succeed where the last one failed, this application too should be rejected.
Council’s Stance on Structural and Planning Matters
Greenwich planners assert that the amended proposal adequately addresses the concerns related to Lasseter Place. They have clarified that structural effects on Woodland Heights fall under the purview of the council’s building control department, not the planning committee. This distinction is central to the ongoing debate, as residents fear the extension could compromise the building’s integrity.
The controversy highlights the tension between urban development and residential amenity in London’s boroughs. With the committee meeting scheduled for February 19, the decision will set a precedent for similar projects in the area, balancing housing needs against community welfare.
