CONTROVERSIAL plans for a five-storey hotel in the heart of historic Greenwich have been withdrawn.

A petition had been started against the plans for Trident Hall in Crane Street, which campaigners claimed should be used as a community space.

The owners had planned to demolish the existing buildings and, in their place, construct a 100-bedroom complex, looming over the Trafalgar Tavern and even the Old Royal Naval College.

There was also concern that it would impact on neighbouring homes, blocking their light and destroying the area's character.

However, Greenwich Council has confirmed the plans have been withdrawn. The site is run by Trident Tavern Lease Ltd, an offshoot of Frank Dowling's troubled Greenwich Inc group, which has gone into liquidation.