Squeeze singer helps 770 home scheme be sent 'up the junction'

Greenwich Councillors unanimously threw out Rockwell Homes’s proposals to bulldoze an industrial estate in Hope and Anchor Lane to make room for 11 tower blocks.

The decision was cheered by objectors, who delivered a 600 strong petition against the proposals.

Among those who spoke out was the Squeeze front man, who said the project would impact on his studio in Charlton.

Squeeze singer Glenn Tilbrook discusses with Cllr Nigel Fletcher 

He said last night: “I’d like to talk about my studio which is at the back of the development site. I’ve been trying to engage with Rockwell about my access rights, the replies I’ve had have not been sufficient.

“Access for me is important. Squeeze work in the studio, we are in and out every weekend during festival season, late at night sometimes. This access is not guaranteed.

“Noise in and noise out, my studio will be rendered unusable during the building process. When building work is going on vibrations will carry, noise will carry.

“The studio is situated away from Derrick & Atlas gardens. The development as it stands at ten storeys will be very close to my studio, and there has been no provision made for proper soundproofing.

“It feels like Rockwell will drive a coach and horses through my studio, as indeed they will be driving a coach and horses through the Charlton masterplan.”

The “cool for cats” singer was referring to Greenwich Council’s £800K planning vision for Charlton, which objectors said the developers ignored when submitting their proposals.

The Charlton Riverside Masterplan was adopted by the council last year and sets out a vision for thousands of homes and additional infrastructure.

Rockwell’s scheme has ignored aspects of the council’s masterplan, including how tall some of the planned towers would be and whether the homes were family friendly.

The developers said their project, which includes five ten storey blocks, would kick start much needed regeneration at Charlton Riverside, as well as deliver affordable homes to the borough.

In total, 11 new buildings, the smallest of which is two storeys, were proposed, with space for shops, bars and restaurants alongside 210 car parking spaces are planned.

Residents groups and campaigners objected to the height, density, and affordability of the scheme, fearing it would set a precedent for future developments.

Rockwell was quizzed over whether they disregarded aspects of masterplan, and cllr Nigel Fletcher said he felt bad that the plans were allowed to progress to the stage they had.

Cllr Fletcher said: “This is not nimbysm, we all want to see it redeveloped and there is potential for imaginative development on the site, it’s just frustrating that we have a masterplan but this does not conform.

“We either have policy and we adhere to it, or we don’t. They’re not just a few storeys taller, they are double and more in some areas.”

Councillors rejected the proposals last night

Chairing the meeting, Cllr Sarah Merrill said: “The community in Charlton bought into the masterplan. It sets a clear vision. I think this application in absolutely no way resembles the spirit of the masterplan, in terms of height, massing and design. Some of the design is resemblant of Stalingrad.”

Rockwell had proposed 770 new homes, the majority of which were two bed, at 35 per cent affordable housing, and said the plans would also bring jobs.

A Rockwell spokesman said: "We are disappointed that the chance to deliver much needed new homes in this opportunity area has been refused and that this aspiration will be further delayed. But, we remain committed to continue working with stakeholders to find a solution for this site that works for everyone."