New council flats for over-60s have been unveiled in Abbey Wood and Charlton, with new tenants describing them as a "dream come true."

A number of high-quality social housing developments have been built as part of a commitment from Greenwich Council to provide stable homes for local residents on lower incomes.

The Abbey Wood development compromises of 11 one and two-bedroom flats, whilst the development in Charlton contains 10 homes, three of which are wheelchair accessible.

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The new purpose-built council homes were designed by Peter Barber Architects, offering "great examples of the high-quality and affordable homes" the council's delivering through its Greenwich Builds programme.

The Charlton site also features a children's playground and an outdoor gym, and was named Henry Kenny Drive in honour of Woolwich-born Henry Edward Kenny who was a war hero awarded with the Victoria Cross in recognition of his bravery during the First World War.

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One new resident moving into a new flat is Jacqui Manning, a retail manager who recently downsized from a flat in an older block in Woolwich which is now due for demolition.

She described the first time she saw the new-build home, which she shares with partner Eid, as being “like a dream come true… I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!”

Cllr Chris Kirby, cabinet member for housing, said: “We are totally committed to offering quality homes at affordable rents to local residents, and it’s fantastic to meet tenants moving into our new over-60s flats in Abbey Wood and Charlton.

"With limits on Council borrowing finally being lifted and a grant from the Mayor of London, we’re looking forward to building many more new homes through our Greenwich Builds programme”

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Greenwich Council says it is committed to providing stable houses for those on lower income, a promise bolstered by the announcement of Greenwich Builds, a major home building programme which will deliver 750 new homes across the borough.

Danny Thorpe, council leader, said it was "fantastic" to meet Jacqui and "see first-hand the positive impact our new homes are having on the lives of local people."

Following the lifting of the housing revenue cap, it was announced in February 2019 that Greenwich Council would be borrowing £142m in order to build hundreds of council homes in a bid to tackle the current housing crisis.