The Cabinet of Greenwich Council met on Wednesday 24 June 2026, approving key decisions on the future of the Woolwich Exchange development and the adoption of a new Playing Pitch Strategy. The meeting also saw the Cabinet recommend the Draft Local Plan for public consultation and agree to proceed with a trial for cross-pavement electric vehicle charging.

Draft Local Plan (Regulation 19) Consultation

The Cabinet recommended to Full Council the approval of the proposed submission documents for public consultation under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations 2012. These documents, attached as appendices A-E, include the Publication Draft Local Plan, Integrated Impact Assessment, Draft Policies Map, Consultation Statement, and Statement of Representations Procedure. This consultation is a crucial step in the plan-making process, allowing stakeholders to comment on the soundness and legal compliance of the proposed submission documents before they are sent to the government for examination.

Woolwich Exchange

The Cabinet approved the implementation of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the Woolwich Exchange project before its expiry on 22 August 2026. Authority was delegated to the Director of Place and Growth to undertake all necessary actions, including making vesting declarations and serving statutory notices. The Cabinet also agreed to vary the Conditional Land Sale Agreement (CLSA) with development partner Spray Street Quarter LLP (SSQ) and to terminate the associated Compulsory Purchase Order Indemnity Agreement (CPOIA). The Scheme and Estimate for the CPO implementation were approved, and the Council noted its application for grant funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) to support land assembly and affordable housing delivery. Authority was delegated to the Director of Place and Growth, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to enter into the Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) if successful. The Council will also implement a strategy for managing acquired properties, and the legal and financial implications were noted. Appendices B, C, and D, containing exempt information relating to financial and business affairs, will not be released to the public.

Playing Pitch Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2036

The Cabinet noted and agreed the Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) 2026-2036, which outlines the current and future provision for playing pitches within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The PPS has been developed in line with Sport England's guidance and the National Planning Policy Framework. Its use was approved for guiding current and future council priorities, including planning applications, and for future funding opportunities. The Cabinet noted that there is no direct resource allocation for strategic priorities within the PPS, but it does identify priority projects for S106 and CIL developer contributions.

Pride in Place - Thamesmead, Birchmere Park

The Cabinet agreed to the Council's role as the accountable body for the Pride in Place programme and to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). This role will continue until a subsequent agreement is made to transfer responsibility to another body. Authority was delegated to the Director of Place and Growth, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet member and Section 151 officer, to sign associated agreements. The Cabinet accepted the capacity building funding of £150,000, delegating its application to the Assistant Director Economy and Skills. Authority was also delegated to the Director of Place and Growth to draw down and allocate funding for capacity building and early-phase projects. The Section 151 officer, or deputy, will approve monitoring and claim submissions to MHCLG. The Cabinet noted the £252,604 funding received from MHCLG for 2026-2027. Delegations were also made for recruitment processes for the Independent Chair and Neighbourhood Board members, and for the Assistant Director for Economy & Skills to act as the Council's representative. Authority was delegated to the Director of Place and Growth, in consultation with the MP and Neighbourhood Board Chair, to finalise boundaries and governance, and ensure local oversight and community involvement structures are established. Finally, the Cabinet agreed that the Neighbourhood Board will direct the development of the Pride in Place Investment Plan for Thamesmead Birchmere Park, including public consultation.

Licence Fee for Cross Pavement Charging Trial

The Cabinet approved the issuing of licence agreements to residents participating in the Cross Pavement Electric Vehicle Charging Trial. These residents will pay the Council £1,338.39 in the first year per household. The costs for future years, should the scheme become permanent after the 12-month monitoring period, will be subject to inflation and indexation. This initiative aims to make EV charging more affordable for residents without off-street parking and contribute to the Council's Carbon Neutral Plan.