Council Asked About Plans for Abbey Wood Improvements

2 November 2025

Greenwich Council is addressing concerns raised by Abbey Wood residents regarding a perceived lack of investment in the area, with a new Urban Regeneration Framework set to be developed over the next 12 months. The framework aims to address concerns around safe, well-maintained estates, proper facilities, and homes residents can be proud of.

At the council meeting on Wednesday 29 October 2025, Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins raised the issue, quoting a resident's Facebook post which stated, Abbey Wood is being overlooked...Just look at Greenwich then look at Abbey Wood. It's obvious where the investment is going... The community deserves meaningful change: safe, well-maintained estates, proper facilities, and homes residents can be proud of. Similar initiatives have transformed Woolwich and Kidbrooke. Abbey Wood deserves the same commitment so residents can finally feel that their area is valued and supported.

In response, Councillor Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, outlined several initiatives aimed at addressing these concerns. He stated that the council has procured a specialist consultant team to design and deliver an Urban Regeneration Framework for Abbey Wood. Over the next 12 months, this framework will involve engagement with the local community and stakeholders to understand their priorities and ambitions and build a new place vision for Abbey Wood.

Councillor Rahman also mentioned the Mayor of London's 'Town Architect' scheme, through which architect Adam Khan has been assigned to work with Royal Borough of Greenwich officers on Abbey Wood. Khan's role is to promote good growth and design in London neighbourhoods and support considerate, impactful future development in the area. He will champion best practice and inclusive growth acting as a critical friend to the process throughout the development of the Urban Regeneration Framework.

Furthermore, following public engagement by the Royal Borough of Greenwich Sports and Leisure Team to understand desired improvements for Abbey Wood Park, officers are working with the Town Architect to develop a concept plan. This plan aims to enhance legibility, wayfinding, and park signage, and will support future funding applications.

The Urban Regeneration Framework will detail the opportunities for Abbey Wood in light of future investment being planned for Thamesmead.

Councillor Rahman also encouraged local organisations and resident groups to apply for funding through Round 7 of the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund, which offers opportunities for local infrastructure improvements and community benefits.

Councils Involved

Greenwich

Meetings Involved

the Council of Greenwich Council on 29 October 2025

People Involved

Councillor Linda Bird Mayor • Labour and Co-operative • Eltham Park and Progress

Councillor David Gardner Chair of Audit and Risk Management Panel and Deputy Mayor • Labour and Co-operative • Greenwich Peninsula

Councillor Majella Anning Leader of the Independent and Green Group • Independent • Greenwich Creekside

Councillor Nas Asghar Labour and Co-operative • Plumstead Common

Councillor Joshua Ayodele Chair of Organisation and Communities Scrutiny Panel • Labour and Co-operative • Woolwich Arsenal

Councillor Olu Babatola Chair of Pension Fund Investment & Administration Panel • Labour and Co-operative • Thamesmead Moorings

Councillor Peter Baker Labour and Co-operative • Abbey Wood

Councillor Sandra Bauer Cabinet Member Equality, Culture and Communities • Labour and Co-operative • Kidbrooke Village and Sutcliffe

Councillor Clare Burke-McDonald Labour and Co-operative • Charlton Hornfair

Councillor Issy Cooke Chair of Inclusive Economy and Culture Scrutiny Panel • Labour and Co-operative • Plumstead Common

Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins Independent • Abbey Wood

Councillor Charlie Davis Deputy Leader of the Opposition • Conservative • Eltham Town and Avery Hill

Councillor Gary Dillon Chair of Planning • Labour and Co-operative • Charlton Village and Riverside

Councillor Lauren Dingsdale Chair of Overview and Scrutiny • Labour and Co-operative • Eltham Town and Avery Hill

Councillor Cathy Dowse Labour and Co-operative • Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham

Councillor John Fahy Labour and Co-operative • Kidbrooke Park

Councillor Leo Fletcher Chair of Housing and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel • Labour and Co-operative • Blackheath Westcombe

Councillor Patricia Greenwell Conservative • Eltham Town and Avery Hill

Councillor Rowshan Hannan Labour • East Greenwich

Councillor Matt Hartley Leader of the Opposition • Conservative • Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham

Councillor Denise Hyland Cabinet Member Finance, Resources and Social Value • Labour and Co-operative • Abbey Wood

Councillor Elizabeth Ige Chief Whip • Labour and Co-operative • Woolwich Common

Councillor Adel Khaireh Cabinet Member Children and Young People • Labour and Co-operative • Plumstead and Glyndon

Councillor Averil Lekau Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport • Labour and Co-operative • Thamesmead Moorings

Councillor Sam Littlewood Labour and Co-operative • Woolwich Arsenal

Councillor Mariam Lolavar Cabinet Member Health, Adult Social Care and Borough of Sanctuary • Labour and Co-operative • Blackheath Westcombe

Councillor Christine May Labour and Co-operative • Middle Park and Horn Park

Councillor Dr Dominic Mbang Chair of Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel • Labour and Co-operative • Woolwich Dockyard

Councillor Odette McGahey Labour and Co-operative • Kidbrooke Park

Councillor Sarah-Jane Merrill Labour and Co-operative • Eltham Page

Councillor Asli Mohammed Labour and Co-operative • Woolwich Dockyard

Councillor Matthew Morrow Labour and Co-operative • Plumstead Common

Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan Labour • Greenwich Creekside

Councillor Anthony Okereke Leader of the Council • Labour and Co-operative • Woolwich Common

Councillor ‘Lade Hephzibah Olugbemi Labour and Co-operative • West Thamesmead

Councillor Simon Peirce Labour and Co-operative • Eltham Park and Progress

Councillor Majid Rahman Cabinet Member Planning, Estate Renewal and Development • Labour • East Greenwich

Councillor Jit Ranabhat Chair of Licensing • Labour and Co-operative • Plumstead and Glyndon

Councillor Tamasin Rhymes Deputy Leader of the Independent and Green Group • Green • Shooters Hill

Councillor Maisie Richards Cottell Labour • East Greenwich

Councillor Lakshan Saldin Independent • Charlton Hornfair

Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald Labour and Co-operative • Greenwich Peninsula

Councillor Pat Slattery Cabinet Member Housing Management, Neighbourhoods and Homelessness • Labour • Greenwich Park

Councillor Aidan Smith Labour • Greenwich Park

Councillor Jackie Smith Cabinet Member Inclusive Economy, Business, Greenwich Supports and Environmental Services • Labour and Co-operative • Woolwich Arsenal

Councillor Jahdia Spencer Labour • West Thamesmead

Councillor Christine St. Matthew-Daniel Labour and Co-operative • Blackheath Westcombe

Councillor Dave Sullivan Labour and Co-operative • Kidbrooke Village and Sutcliffe

Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan Cabinet Member Community Safety and Enforcement • Labour and Co-operative • Middle Park and Horn Park

Councillor Roger Tester Conservative • Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham

Councillor Sandra Thomas Labour and Co-operative • Plumstead and Glyndon

Councillor Jo van den Broek Labour and Co-operative • Charlton Village and Riverside

Councillor Miranda Williams Labour and Co-operative • Eltham Page

Councillor Nick Williams Labour and Co-operative • Greenwich Peninsula

Councillor Raja Zeeshan Labour • Shooters Hill

Director of Health and Adult Services

Interim Director of Place & Growth

Topics

Greenwich Council Investment Ann-Marie Cousins Regeneration Councillor Majid Rahman Urban Regeneration Framework for Abbey Wood Town Architect' scheme Adam Khan Abbey Wood Park concept plan Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund Social value