Greenwich Council's Local Planning Committee has rejected a proposal to demolish a warehouse in Charlton, citing concerns over its design and potential impact on the surrounding area.

The committee convened on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, and considered an application (Ref: 24/4272/F) concerning land within Wellington Mews and 25 Wellington Mews, Charlton. The proposal, detailed in document 6 - Wellington Mews - Ref-24-4272-F, sought consent for the demolition of an existing warehouse building and the construction of a new two-storey dwellinghouse with a basement.

After deliberation, the committee voted to refuse the application, citing several key reasons for their decision:

  • The proposed dwelling would have a poor outlook due to its proximity to an adjoining car park and inadequate access along Wellington Mews, resulting in an unacceptable quality of accommodation for prospective residents.
  • The design was considered unsympathetic and would fail to positively respond to local distinctiveness, causing harm to the character of the application site and the wider surrounding area. The committee stated that its unsympathetic design would fail to positively respond to local distinctiveness and would cause harm to the character of the application site and the wider surrounding area.
  • The proximity of a residential use to adjoining commercial premises and the constrained nature of Wellington Mews would cause harm to the continued operation of existing commercial premises, creating a conflict between the existing businesses and future occupants. The committee noted that a residential use (noise sensitive use), by reason of the proximity to adjoining commercial premises and constrained nature of Wellington Mews and also construction vehicles to access the application site, would cause harm the continued operation of existing commercial premises, creating a conflict between the existing businesses and future occupants.
  • The proximity of the proposed lighting columns to adjoining residential occupiers would cause harm to the residential amenity of adjoining owner/occupiers. The committee cited that the proximity of the proposed lighting columns to adjoining residential occupiers would cause harm to the residential amenity of adjoining owner/occupiers.

The meeting, held at the Town Hall in Woolwich, also addressed other planning applications and declarations of interest from committee members. Councillor Gary Dillon, Chair of Planning, presided over the session, with Councillors Dave Sullivan, Peter Baker, Sam Littlewood, Asli Mohammed, Jahdia Spencer, Raja Zeeshan, Patricia Greenwell, and Jo van den Broek in attendance. Council officers Alex Smith, Neil Willey, Vincent Fong, Chris Leong, Brendan Meade, Dominic Harris, and Louise Macionis were also present.

The decision underscores the council's commitment to preserving the character of Charlton and ensuring that new developments meet high standards of design and residential amenity. The full minutes of the meeting, including detailed reports and appendices, are available on the Greenwich Council website.