The Planning Board of Greenwich Council met on Tuesday 21 July 2026. The meeting was held at the Town Hall in Woolwich.

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

The Planning Board resolved to refuse 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 also included the retention of the existing bowls lawn and the erection of a new bowls clubhouse, along with 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 local and London Plan policies protecting MOL.
• 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 suitable location. This conflicted with policies protecting playing fields.
• Loss of Community Facilities: The demolition of existing community facilities, including the pavilion and sports pitches, was deemed unacceptable as equivalent or better replacement provision had not been demonstrated, and the site's suitability for continued community use was not disproven.
• Daylight Standards: The applicant failed to provide a robust daylight assessment appropriate for the site's context, meaning it could not be demonstrated that future occupiers would receive adequate daylight.
• Off-site Mitigation: Crucially, the applicant failed to agree necessary terms for the funding, timing, phasing, and delivery of proposed off-site sporting facility mitigation, including addressing upfront VAT costs and pre-commencement triggers. This failure meant the mitigation relied upon to justify the development could not be secured with sufficient certainty before the loss of existing facilities and MOL function.

During the meeting, extensive public objection was heard from local residents, ward councillors, and amenity groups, highlighting concerns about the loss of MOL, playing fields, community facilities, and the impact on local amenity and infrastructure. A representative from the King's Bowls Club spoke in support, emphasizing the need for new homes and the long-term future of their club with improved facilities. The applicant's agent argued for the development, citing housing need and proposed off-site mitigation, but ultimately the Board voted to refuse the application based on the officer's 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 and associated works. 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 site, previously used for coach parking, is identified for future residential development under the 2015 Outline Planning Permission. The temporary use is considered acceptable as the land is not scheduled for redevelopment within the next 10 years. The proposal was seen as a positive asset to the Greenwich Peninsula, supporting economic growth and cultural tourism, and creating employment opportunities. Concerns raised by residents regarding noise, traffic, and pedestrian movement were addressed through proposed conditions and management plans, including participation in an event coordination agreement with nearby venues like the Troubadour Theatre, The O2, and Magazine London to manage peak visitor flows.

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 in Abbey Wood to provide 21 residential dwellings, all of which will be affordable homes. The development, brought forward by Meridian Home Start, a company established by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to deliver high-quality affordable housing, will consist of two three-storey terraced blocks.

The scheme will provide 100% affordable housing, specifically Discount Market Rent units, contributing to the borough's housing needs. While the proposal does not include dedicated children's play space on-site due to site constraints, a financial contribution will be secured towards off-site play space improvements. The development will also include 42 long-stay and 2 short-stay cycle parking spaces, with individual cycle stores within each dwelling, and 7 public car parking spaces. The decision was subject to the satisfactory completion of a Section 111 legal agreement and a list of conditions.

The meeting also included the confirmation of previous minutes and apologies for absence. The Planning Board is chaired by Councillor Jeremy Fraser.