The Planning Board of Greenwich Council met on Tuesday 21 July 2026, resolving to refuse planning permission for the redevelopment of the STC Ivor Grove Sports Club site for 205 new homes. The Board also granted temporary permission for an event space on land east of East Parkside, Greenwich Peninsula, and approved the redevelopment of garage sites opposite Sewell Road for residential dwellings.

STC Ivor Grove Sports Club, Ivor Grove, Eltham, London, SE9 2AJ

The Planning Board refused full planning permission for the demolition of existing sports club buildings and the redevelopment of associated sports fields to facilitate the erection of 205 new homes. The proposal included the retention of the existing bowls lawn and the erection of a new bowls clubhouse, alongside associated open space, community pavilion, landscaping, parking, and access.

The reasons for refusal were multifaceted:

• Metropolitan Open Land (MOL): The development was deemed inappropriate for MOL, causing substantial and permanent harm to its openness and character. The applicant failed to demonstrate very special circumstances to outweigh this harm, contravening policies in the Royal Greenwich Local Plan and the London Plan.
• Loss of Playing Fields: The proposal would result in the loss of valued sports and recreational facilities without adequate replacement provision in terms of quantity, quality, or suitability of location. This conflicts with national and local planning policies protecting playing fields.
• Loss of Community Facilities: The demolition of existing community facilities, including the pavilion, was deemed unacceptable as it was not demonstrated that these facilities were no longer required, that equivalent or better replacements would be provided, or that the existing facilities were unsuitable for continued use.
• Inadequate Daylight Assessment: The applicant failed to provide a robust daylight assessment appropriate for the site's context, leading to concerns about future occupiers receiving adequate daylight.
• Failure to Secure Off-site Mitigation: The applicant's failure to agree necessary terms for the funding, timing, phasing, and delivery of off-site sports facility mitigation, including addressing VAT costs and pre-commencement triggers, meant that the consequential planning harm could not be appropriately mitigated.

During the meeting, numerous objections were heard from local residents, ward councillors, and community groups, highlighting concerns about the loss of MOL, playing fields, community facilities, and the impact on local amenity and infrastructure. Supporters of the development, including members of the King's Bowls Club, spoke in favour, emphasising the need for new homes and the long-term future of the club with improved facilities. The applicant's agent argued that very special circumstances existed due to the benefits of delivering much-needed homes and affordable housing, and that the proposed off-site mitigation would provide wider benefits. However, the Board ultimately voted unanimously to refuse the application, aligning with the officers' recommendation.

Land to the east of East Parkside, south of Edmund Halley Way and west of Olympian Way ('Plot 20.02'), Greenwich Peninsula SE10

Full planning permission was granted for the temporary use of land for up to 10 years for the installation of an event space/structure. This will create a venue for shows and events, including immersive interactive entertainments, falling under the 'Sui Generis' use class. The decision was subject to the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and a list of conditions. The proposal was considered acceptable in principle due to its temporary nature, associated benefits, and alignment with surrounding 'Sui Generis' uses on the Greenwich Peninsula. The development is expected to attract visitors, support economic growth, and create employment opportunities.

Garage Sites Opposite to 48 - 53 Sewell Road SE2 9XW & 23 Ampleforth Road SE2 9BD - 17 Sewell Road SE2 9XN

Full planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of two garage sites to provide 21 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), along with associated landscaping, parking, and storage. The development, brought forward by Meridian Home Start, will deliver 100% affordable housing at a Discount Market Rent. The scheme was considered acceptable in principle due to its regeneration of underutilised brownfield sites and its contribution to affordable housing supply. The design was deemed appropriate for the context, and impacts on neighbouring amenity and the local highway network were considered acceptable. The decision was subject to the satisfactory completion of a Section 111 legal agreement and a list of conditions.

The Planning Board of Greenwich Council met on Tuesday 21 July 2026, resolving to refuse planning permission for the redevelopment of the STC Ivor Grove Sports Club site for 205 new homes. The Board also granted temporary permission for an event space on land east of East Parkside, Greenwich Peninsula, and approved the redevelopment of garage sites opposite Sewell Road for residential dwellings.

STC Ivor Grove Sports Club, Ivor Grove, Eltham, London, SE9 2AJ

The Planning Board refused full planning permission for the demolition of existing sports club buildings and the redevelopment of associated sports fields to facilitate the erection of 205 new homes. The proposal included retaining the bowls lawn, constructing a new bowls clubhouse, and providing associated open space, community pavilion, landscaping, parking, and access.

The refusal was based on several key reasons:

• Metropolitan Open Land (MOL): The development was deemed inappropriate for MOL, causing substantial and permanent harm to its openness and character. The applicant failed to demonstrate very special circumstances to outweigh this harm, contravening policies in the Royal Greenwich Local Plan and the London Plan.
• Loss of Playing Fields: The proposal would lead to the permanent loss of valued sports and recreational facilities without adequate replacement provision in terms of quantity, quality, or location, conflicting with national and local planning policies protecting playing fields.
• Loss of Community Facilities: The demolition of existing community facilities, including the pavilion, was deemed unacceptable as it was not proven that these facilities were no longer required, that equivalent or better replacements would be provided, or that the existing facilities were unsuitable for continued use.
• Inadequate Daylight Assessment: The applicant's daylight assessment was considered insufficient for the site's context, raising concerns about future occupiers' daylight amenity.
• Failure to Secure Off-site Mitigation: The applicant's inability to agree on the full funding, timing, phasing, and delivery of off-site sports facility mitigation was a significant factor in the refusal.

During the meeting, numerous objections were heard from local residents, ward councillors, and community groups, highlighting concerns about the loss of MOL, playing fields, and community facilities, as well as the impact on local infrastructure. Supporters, including members of the King's Bowls Club, spoke in favour, emphasising the need for housing and the long-term future of the club. Despite arguments from the applicant's agent regarding the benefits of delivering homes and affordable housing, the Board unanimously voted to refuse the application, aligning with officers' recommendations.

Land to the east of East Parkside, south of Edmund Halley Way and west of Olympian Way ('Plot 20.02'), Greenwich Peninsula SE10

Full planning permission was granted for the temporary use of land for up to 10 years for the installation of an event space/structure. This will create a venue for shows and events, including immersive interactive entertainments, classified under the 'Sui Generis' use class. The decision is subject to the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and a list of conditions. The proposal was considered acceptable in principle due to its temporary nature, potential benefits, and compatibility with surrounding 'Sui Generis' uses on the Greenwich Peninsula. The development is expected to attract visitors, boost the local economy, and create employment opportunities.

Garage Sites Opposite to 48 - 53 Sewell Road SE2 9XW & 23 Ampleforth Road SE2 9BD - 17 Sewell Road SE2 9XN

Full planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of two garage sites to provide 21 residential dwellings (Use Class C3), along with associated landscaping, parking, and storage. This development, brought forward by Meridian Home Start, will deliver 100% affordable housing at a Discount Market Rent. The scheme was deemed acceptable in principle due to its regeneration of underutilised brownfield land and its contribution to affordable housing supply. The design was considered appropriate for the context, and the impacts on neighbouring amenity and the local highway network were deemed acceptable. The decision is subject to the satisfactory completion of a Section 111 legal agreement and a list of conditions.