Eltham Grove Market Place development cuts affordable housing (From News Shopper)

Eltham Grove Market Place development cuts affordable housing

1:50pm Sunday 28th October 2012 in News By Mark Chandler

AN Eltham redevelopment is slashing the amount of affordable housing on offer to beat the recession.

The Grove Market Place project at Court Yard has been stalled since planning permission was granted last March to demolish and replace it with shops, flats and a hotel.

Neighbours have complained that, while no work has started, the dilapidated old precinct is subject to vandalism, flooding and attracts vermin.

Developer Eltham Renaissance had originally promised 25 affordable homes - 35 per cent of the total - but has since claimed this is unviable, blaming the recession.

Now the amount of affordable housing will be cut to just 20 per cent - a similar reduction to other troubled developments in the borough. All the homes are expected to be sold to Gallions Housing Association.

The proposal was approved by a Greenwich Council planning board last week.