Greenwich Council's Planning Board has approved the construction of 21 affordable homes on former garage sites in Abbey Wood.
The development, located on Sewell Road, will see two three-storey blocks built, providing much-needed housing in the borough. The scheme is being delivered by Meridian Home Start, a company established by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to provide affordable housing.
The development will consist of 100% affordable homes, all designated as Discount Market Rent intermediate units. This will contribute significantly to the council's housing targets and provide family-sized accommodation.
Each of the 21 homes will be three-bedroom units, designed to meet London Plan internal space standards. The design incorporates balconies for private amenity space and dual-aspect layouts to maximise natural light and ventilation.
While the development is located adjacent to a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), the plans include measures to protect existing vegetation and aim for a net gain in biodiversity through landscaping and the planting of new trees. The scheme also incorporates sustainable drainage systems to manage surface water runoff.
Regarding biodiversity, the scheme is considered exempt from Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements. However, the biodiverse roofing and landscaping at ground floor level are expected to result in an overall net gain of greenery on-site. The meeting information does not detail how this net gain will be measured and monitored beyond the initial assessment. [1]
Concerns regarding parking were addressed, with the provision of 46 cycle parking spaces and 7 car parking spaces, including one designated blue badge bay. The development is designed to be car-lite, encouraging sustainable travel options.
The scheme's design is considered to be contextually responsive, drawing cues from local materials and proportions, and aims to create an active street frontage. The three-storey height is deemed appropriate for the area, and the development would not appear out of context with the wider streetscape.
Officers noted that while the development is located in Flood Zone 3, the proposed drainage strategy, in conjunction with Thames Water's acceptance of surface water discharge into the foul sewer, is considered acceptable. The finished floor levels will be set above flood risk levels.
Footnotes: [1] The meeting information for the Sewell Road garage sites states that the scheme is considered exempt from Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). However, for the temporary use of land on the Greenwich Peninsula for an event space, the development aims for a '21% biodiversity net gain on site which exceeds the required 10%'. For the STC Ivor Grove Sports Club application, the submitted BNG assessment is calculated as a 'net gain of some 1,242%'. The meeting information does not detail how the net gain for the Sewell Road site will be measured and monitored beyond the initial assessment. See Public reports pack 21st-Jul-2026 18.30 Planning Board.
Regarding the protection of the adjacent Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), the sites directly adjoin SINC land to the north. Preliminary ecological appraisals identify potential indirect impacts on the SINC land during the construction period. However, a landscape and ecological management plan would be required by way of condition, setting out safeguarding and appropriate working practices to minimise effects on biodiversity and ecology. [2]
Footnotes: [2] For the STC Ivor Grove Sports Club application, concerns were raised about the 'loss of biodiversity, trees, wildlife in abundance' due to the development on Metropolitan Open Land. However, specific measures for the protection of an adjacent SINC are not detailed in that context. See Public reports pack 21st-Jul-2026 18.30 Planning Board.
