Plans to build a 13 storey block of flats next to a 19th century chimney in Greenwich have been refused.

Greenwich Council has denied planning permission for a scheme to build 48 new flats on the site of a former pub in Woolwich Dockyard.

The site on Woolwich Church Street is located beside several Grade II listed structures, including artefacts from the former Royal Dockyard.

News Shopper: A CGI of the block planned on the site with the chimney beside it (Credit: Mark Smith Architects / Lakeview Estates One Limited)A CGI of the block planned on the site with the chimney beside it (Credit: Mark Smith Architects / Lakeview Estates One Limited)

This includes a 19th century chimney of a former steam factory, which is located across the road from the former pub on the site, The Albion.

Council officers criticised the project in their report, claiming the new building would ‘challenge and diminish’ the chimney’s role as a local landmark, with the structure reportedly dating back to 1837.

The new application comes after a similar scheme to build a 13 storey building on the site was approved in 2017.

The topic was discussed at a planning board meeting for Greenwich Council on March 5. Mark Smith, the architect for the project, said the previously approved scheme was deemed not to have an adverse effect on the chimney.

He added that the current proposal resembled the previous application given both structures were divided between being nine and 13 storeys-tall.

He said at the meeting: “The proposal continues to be and is even more subordinate to the chimney [than the previous application].

"It’s also worth noting that there are many taller buildings in the immediate area, including an approved 13 storey building in the Morris Walk development, which is currently under development.”

Council officers also criticised the lack of affordable housing in the plans, as 37.5per cent of the flats in the previously consented scheme would have been ‘affordable’.

James Neal, a barrister speaking on behalf of Lakeview Estates One Limited, said an agreement had been made between the applicant and the council that the current scheme could not viable provide any affordable housing.

Labour Councillor Gary Dillon said at the meeting: “I ask the question, ‘Is your application wrong at your end?’, because I guarantee you, there probably will be a developer that can make a viable development on that site… We are desperate for affordable homes, 27,000 people are looking for homes in this borough.”

Cormac Dolan, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the developer had originally engaged in pre-application meetings with council officers in 2019 on two bigger schemes that included affordable housing units.

He said that the developer was told in both instances that the schemes were too large and the height of the project was a concern if affordable housing were to be included.

The planning board voted at the meeting to refuse planning permission for the scheme on Woolwich Church Street.

Reasons for refusal included the impact the project would have on the nearby Grade II listed chimney and the lack of affordable housing provided.