Greenwich Council approves homes at Millennium Village as part of Corporate Plan
Greenwich Council has approved plans for new homes at the Millennium Village as part of its newly adopted Corporate Plan 2026-2030 and Vision for 2050. The decision, made during a council meeting on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, includes a commitment to acquiring 104 new homes at Block 401, Greenwich Millennium Village, supported by £19.24 million in grant funding from the GLA.
The Corporate Plan, which is structured around seven themes including 'The Place to Call Home', outlines 19 priority outcomes. The Vision for 2050, encapsulated by the phrase Greenwich – the borough that creates,
aims to foster opportunity, belonging, joy, wellbeing, and strong neighbourhoods. This vision will be practically implemented through the Corporate Plan, which acts as the 'engine' for delivering these aims.
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Council, presented the plan, emphasising its co-production with residents. An amendment proposed by Councillor Stacy Smith, aiming to give greater prominence to environmental and green space commitments, was debated but ultimately not carried.
'The Place to Call Home' Theme
The 'The Place to Call Home' theme within the Corporate Plan aims to ensure that everyone can access a safe, secure, and suitable home. Commitments include delivering 6,000 new council, social rent, and low rent homes over the next decade, investing £278 million in existing council homes for safety, comfort, sustainability, and quality, and improving the repairs service through the Repairs Transformation Programme. It also aims to establish an Estate Regeneration Programme and expand licensing for the private rented sector to ensure safe and well-managed properties. Furthermore, it commits to preventing homelessness and reducing the number of families in temporary accommodation, with a goal to end rough sleeping. The plan also includes indicators such as the percentage of council homes deemed decent, the percentage of homes rated EPC C and above, net additional dwellings, the percentage of affordable homes built, and tenant satisfaction with the council as a landlord.
The acquisition of Block 401 at Greenwich Millennium Village, providing the 104 new homes, is intended to assist in reducing the Council's spend on temporary accommodation and ensure the Council can discharge its statutory duties to the homeless by providing good quality, well-managed temporary accommodation. The acquisition requires a decision to be made to secure GLA grant funding before the 30th September 2026 cut-off under the 21-26 GLA grant funding programme. A further governance report will be presented following the conclusion of due diligence and negotiation of commercials/legal documents.
Environmental Commitments Debate
Councillor Stacy Smith's amendment aimed to highlight environmental and green space commitments within the Corporate Plan by adding bullet points under the themes of 'Joy', 'Wellbeing', and 'Neighbourhoods'. Under 'Joy', the amendment proposed 'Encouraging engagement and appreciation of our borough's nature and wildlife through community events and learning opportunities'. Under 'Wellbeing', it suggested 'Protecting and developing access to our parks and green spaces, river and creeks through activities that enhance good physical and mental health'. Under 'Neighbourhoods', the amendment proposed 'Deliver a sustainability and biodiversity plan and invest in re-wilding measures to protect and enhance biodiversity and green space across the Royal Borough'.
However, the main arguments against Councillor Smith's amendment were that these environmental and green space commitments were already reflected in the Corporate Plan, albeit not emphasised in the initial examples. Councillor Okereke stated that he wished they had had the opportunity to have a conversation before the amendment was put forward, as he did not think the suggested amendments were in the right place. Councillor Byrne-Mulligan argued that the Corporate Plan explicitly commits to delivering a sustainability and biodiversity plan, implementing a more holistic approach for local communities, and investing in rewilding measures, as well as outlining commitments around the protection of green spaces and parks. He urged the council to reject the amendment as unnecessary given the details already present in the Corporate Plan. Councillor Redwood acknowledged that the points were in the Corporate Plan but felt they were 'buried deep in the woods' and not emphasised enough.
Supplementary Agenda 2 21st-Oct-2026 19.00 Council.pdf
Decisions on Executive Functions taken under Urgency Procedures