Plans for a massive redevelopment including a cinema, and almost 300 homes for the centre of Woolwich have been approved by Greenwich Council.

The 10-storey complex will be on the corner of General Gordon Square and also includes plans for a dance school, shops, restaurants and offices.

The 298 homes will mostly consist of one and two bedroom flats, with 40 per cent of them being listed as “affordable housing”.

The area currently homes the Island Business Centre, the Millennium Performing Arts College for dance, the Earl of Chatham pub, a KFC and other small businesses.

While some of the original architecture there is considered worth keeping, such as the original Woolwich Polytechnic, other buildings are considered of much less value.

According to Greenwich Council, Island Business Centre is an example of the “worst of architecture” of the 20th century.

The new complex will have a route through the middle of the block with cafes, shops and restaurants on either side.

The area currently has no car parking spaces and the development will only increase that to six disabled parking spaces, with anyone living and travelling there expected to use public transport.

The plans were approved by Greenwich Council planning committee on Tuesday, October 3.