Plans for more than 700 homes, a cinema and a new town square in Woolwich have taken a major step forward.

A multi-million pound regeneration scheme for the area between Plumstead Road and Spray Street, including the Plumstead Road market, has been submitted to Greenwich Council.

The plans include 742 homes, a five screen cinema, shops and bars, and a new town square.

Several new buildings, the tallest being 21 storeys, will be surrounded by smaller buildings of between four and six storeys.

A new public square has been included in the scheme, as well as a nursery and offices for start ups.

Residents were concerned about the heights and mass of the scheme when plans were consulted on, and said that the retention of existing buildings was important.

The scheme has been submitted by Spray Street Quarter Limited Liability Partnership, a joint venture between St Modwen, regeneration specialists, and Notting Hill Housing, a housing association.

Tim Seddon, property director for the south east at St Modwen, said: “Submitting the planning application represents a major milestone for the regeneration.

"The plans will be a major boost to Woolwich, providing a new quarter for the town centre, offering additional reasons to visit or stay in the town during the day and the evening. Besides providing high-quality new homes, the new development will generate over 400 new, permanent full-time jobs for local people.”

Of the 700 plus homes, 35 per cent - or 260 homes - will be affordable for rent and purchase.

The new homes would be a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments, and townhouses.

If the planning application is approved, Spray Street Quarter LLP will begin the process of acquiring the land necessary to deliver the regeneration.

Construction could begin in 2020, with aim of completion four to five years after that. In December 2017, it was announced that a temporary Street Feast food market would open in the covered market space in the meantime.

Woolwich Town Centre has been earmarked as a 'opportunity area' in the 2015 London Plan, and in Greenwich Council's Core Strategy from 2014.

The area is a short walk from the Elizabeth Line station at Royal Arsenal, set to open later this year.