The blueprint for Royal Greenwich’s bold and ambitious vision for the future is now open to feedback from residents, businesses, and community groups.
The public consultation on the council’s most important planning document, the Local Plan, has launched as we look to finalise our aspirations for future development, jobs and protecting family homes over the next 15 years.
From today, Monday 15 December, until midnight on Sunday 8 February, those who want to help shape the future of the borough can get involved in several ways:
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “This isn’t just any document, it’s the blueprint for the future of the borough and we want to make it as easy for as many people to get involved.
“We want to build nearly 45,000 new homes and create thousands of jobs, unlocking untapped economic potential along our riverside, but we want to know how you think we can do that while protecting our green spaces and heritage and making sure growth benefits everyone.
“Greenwich is one of the fastest growing boroughs in London, a place that is home to people from all over the world. We have a rich naval and military history, along with a UNESCO World Heritage Site - but this is also a borough which has high levels of income and health inequality and areas that suffer from a lack of public transport options.
“I encourage people to make their voices heard because only together can we work to make this brilliant borough best deliver for those who live, work or visit here.”
Councillor Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, said:
“At the heart of our proposed Local Plan is a clear long-term vision focused on growth that is sustainable and healthy, that not only strengthens our economy and supports our communities but also protects our environment and unique heritage.
“We are keen to hear what people think of our plan - not just how we’re wanting to deliver a mix of quality, genuinely affordable and family-sized homes that prioritise the diverse needs of our residents, but where there is also a desire to warn off bad development.
“For example, doing more to stop those who want to take advantage of our borough and its existing housing stock by making it more difficult to convert family-sized properties (three bed or more) to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
“The same goes for promoting climate-resilient developments and upholding the highest standards of energy efficiency, incorporating low-carbon technologies and sustainable design principles as we have with Woolwich Waves, our new state-of-the-art leisure centre. We think it is the correct approach but we need your help in shaping policy that will affect the lives of so many in years to come.”
The draft Local Plan is divided into eight themes: Places, Housing, Economy, Town Centres, Design and Heritage, Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport.
As well as the Commonplace portal, and the array of in-person events and webinars, culminating with the Community Assembly, there will also be a draft Local Plan exhibition held at the Eltham Centre, Greenwich Centre, Plumstead Centre, and Woolwich Centre throughout the consultation period where feedback can also be left.
What happens next
The production of a Local Plan involves multiple stages – from evidence gathering to public consultation with communities and stakeholders, examination, and adoption.
The council ran a first phase of public consultation during August and September 2023. After this phase of consultation ends, all the feedback will be used to shape a final Local Plan which will be subject to a further consultation before it is submitted to the government’s Planning Inspectorate for independent examination which will determine whether the Plan can be adopted.