The Planning Board of Greenwich Council met on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, to discuss several planning applications. Key decisions included the approval of a Section 73 application for amendments to the Morden Wharf development, which will now include 20% affordable housing, and the approval of reserved matters for the appearance, landscaping, scale, and layout of the residential buildings at Morden Wharf. The Board also granted full planning permission and listed building consent for the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps at Building 10, Station Way, Royal Arsenal Riverside, Woolwich.

Morden Wharf Development Amendments Approved

The Planning Board granted planning permission for amendments to the Morden Wharf development off Tunnel Avenue, Greenwich, under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This application, reference 25/1985/MA, sought alterations to several conditions attached to the original planning permission granted in June 2022.

A significant change approved is the increase in the affordable housing offer from a minimum of 10% to a guaranteed 20% of habitable rooms. This revised offer, which includes a split of 68% social rent and 32% intermediate housing, has been made possible due to new London Plan Guidance on 'Support for Housebuilding' and the availability of grant funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA). The previous scheme had a minimum of 10% affordable housing, with a further 10% subject to GLA grant funding. The revised offer is unconditional, meaning the 20% affordable housing will be provided regardless of grant availability.

The mid and late-stage financial viability reviews have been removed from the legal agreement, a change welcomed by the applicant due to the adopted London Plan guidance. An early-stage review remains, with the trigger for implementation to be agreed with the developer to incentivise early delivery.

The Board also approved changes to the parameter plans, including a reduction in the total number of buildings by one (amalgamating Blocks B06 and B07), increased separation distances between buildings (now a minimum of 18 metres between towers), and the introduction of an energy centre adjacent to Building SW4. The height of Tower 4 has been increased by 300 millimetres, while the tallest tower, T03, has been reduced in height by two storeys. A low-link building has been added between Towers T02 and T04, and the previously proposed link between Blocks B08 and B09 has been removed, replaced by a pedestrian thoroughfare. These changes are considered to enhance the quality and character of the development.

The Board also approved the reserved matters application (25/1986/R) for the appearance, landscaping, scale, and layout of the residential buildings at Morden Wharf. This includes the erection of Plots B02, B03, B04, B05, B07, B08, B09, T1, T2, T3, and T4. The design features three distinct character areas: Morden Gardens (linear blocks with colourful balconies), Riverside Buildings (brick-built, with muted balcony tones), and Parkside Towers (octagonal, clad in contrasting metal). The development will be car-free, with 53 disabled parking spaces provided in the basement.

Building 10, Station Way, Royal Arsenal Riverside: Air Source Heat Pumps Approved

Full planning permission and listed building consent were granted for the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) within Building 10, Station Way, Royal Arsenal Riverside, Woolwich. This project, referenced 25/4134/F and 25/4135/L, is part of a wider strategy to decarbonise the existing energy centre and reduce carbon emissions across the Royal Arsenal Riverside development.

The ASHP system will be housed within existing commercial floorspace in units 9 and 10 of the Grade II listed Building 10. The proposals involve internal reconfiguration and external fabric alterations, including enlarging existing arched openings on the southern elevation and introducing louvres on the eastern and western facades. Historic England raised concerns about the extent of alteration to the listed fabric, assessing it as less than substantial harm. However, the Council's Conservation Officer found the proposals acceptable in heritage terms, subject to conditions securing specific details of materials and finishes.

The Board weighed this heritage harm against the significant public benefits of the scheme, including providing cleaner energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, improving air quality, and contributing to the council's net-zero carbon targets. The benefits were considered to outweigh the identified harm.

Concerns were raised by local residents regarding potential noise and vibration impacts from the ASHP operation. While the applicant's initial noise impact assessment was deemed insufficient by the Council's Environmental Health Officer (EHO), a robust condition was agreed upon. This condition mandates that operational noise levels must be at least 5dB below background noise at all times, with a requirement for a new noise impact assessment and detailed mitigation plans to be submitted and approved. The applicant accepted this condition, which the EHO believes will ensure no adverse noise impacts.

The proposals will result in the loss of consented commercial units and the approved arcade, but officers noted that these units had remained vacant and that the wider Royal Arsenal area already provides sufficient commercial facilities. The principle of locating the energy centre within Building 10 was deemed acceptable due to its proximity to the existing energy centre and the building's existing industrial character.

Other Business

The Board also confirmed the minutes of previous meetings held on 2 December 2025, 20 January 2026, and 10 March 2026. No declarations of interest were made by councillors.