The Local Planning Committee of Greenwich Council convened on Thursday, 19 February 2026, to discuss several planning applications. Key decisions included the approval of a new dwellinghouse on Ladysmith Road, Eltham, and the granting of planning permission for an additional floor to the Woodlands Heights building in Blackheath. The committee also approved the change of use for several properties to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), with specific conditions and refusals applied in some cases.

Woodlands Heights, Vanbrugh Hill, Blackheath, London, SE3 7EL - Ref: 25/1700/F

The committee granted full planning permission for the extension of the existing five-storey building at Woodlands Heights to provide an additional floor of residential space. This will comprise two two-bedroom units and six one-bedroom units, each with private amenity spaces. The development also includes additional cycle and waste storage, new loading bays, a new pedestrian access from Vanbrugh Hill, associated landscaping, and tree removal. Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins expressed concerns about the design, describing the proposed structure as an imposing carbuncle and questioning the lack of specific data on daylight loss. However, the majority of the committee supported the officer's recommendation for approval, citing the need for housing and the developer's efforts to address previous concerns. Councillor Patricia Greenwell voted against the proposal, feeling it was not significantly different from previous refusals and would negatively impact residents of Lasseter Place. Councillor Asli Mohammed supported the application, believing it adequately addressed the inspector's concerns from the appeal. Councillor Dave Sullivan and Councillor Ashley Mohammed also supported the application, noting the positive aspects and the need to build homes. Councillor Jahdia Spencer also supported the application, stating there was no reason to refuse it. The decision was approved with an amendment to Condition 4, requiring the Construction Management Plan to include specific details regarding scaffolding, site staff welfare facilities, and the location of portaloos away from residential homes.

872 Sidcup Road, London, SE9 3PN - Ref: 25/1427/F

The committee refused planning permission for the conversion of this property into a seven-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Councillor Patricia Greenwell and Councillor Asli Mohammed voted against the proposal, citing concerns about overdevelopment, excessive comings and goings, and the narrowness of the proposed bedrooms. Councillor Roger Tester and Councillor Matt Hartley also opposed the application, arguing that the increase from six to seven occupants would lead to unacceptable noise and disturbance, and that the busy road argument used by officers to justify the proposal was flawed. Councillor Dave Sullivan, however, voted in favour, stating that while he disliked HMOs, there were no legal grounds to refuse the application, and that it provided much-needed accommodation. Councillor Jahdia Spencer also voted in favour, believing the developer had made significant improvements and that the proposal met national and local planning policies. The committee voted to refuse the application for the extra room, meaning the property would revert to the previously approved six-bedroom HMO.

Land to the rear of 62 and 64 Footscray Road, Eltham, London, SE9 2SU - Ref: 25/2458/F

Full planning permission was granted for the construction of a two-storey dwellinghouse on this site. The proposal includes associated boundary treatment, cycle parking, refuse storage, landscaping, and car parking. Councillor Pat Greenwell raised concerns about the accuracy of the parking survey and the design's impact on the character of the area, noting that the proposed dwelling would stand out. However, Councillor Gary Dillon, Councillor Ashley Mohammed, and Councillor Jahdia Spencer voted in favour, highlighting the opportunity to build a family home and the positive design aspects. Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins voted against the proposal, expressing dissatisfaction with the mumbling and predetermined opinions. The decision was approved.

49 Tewson Road, Plumstead, London, SE18 1BB - Ref: 25/2343/F

Full planning permission was granted for the change of use of this dwelling to a six-bedroom HMO, along with ground floor rear extensions, an L-shaped rear dormer, and provisions for refuse and cycle storage. Councillor Adel Khaireh had called the application into committee due to concerns about overdevelopment, impact on neighbouring amenity, loss of family housing, parking, and fire safety. However, the committee ultimately approved the application, with most members finding that the proposal met planning standards and that the fallback position of permitted development for the dormer mitigated concerns.

33 Waverley Crescent, Plumstead, London, SE18 7QU - Ref: 25/2176/F

The committee granted full planning permission for the change of use of this dwelling to an eight-bedroom HMO. This includes the demolition of an existing side infill extension, construction of an L-shaped rear dormer, and provision of refuse and cycle storage. Councillor Patricia Greenwell expressed concern about the potential for noise and disturbance from eight occupants, and the lack of specific data on daylight loss. She also raised concerns about communication with residents and the use of private land. However, the committee voted to approve the application, with an additional condition requiring sound insulation measures to be detailed in the notice of determination.

888 Sidcup Road, Eltham, London, SE9 3PN - Ref: 25/4165/F

Full planning permission was granted for the change of use of this dwelling to a six-person, six-bedroom HMO, with provision for refuse and cycle storage. Councillor Roger Tester had called the application into committee due to concerns about noise and disturbance. However, the committee found that the proposal met the required standards and that the location on a busy road mitigated potential noise impacts. The application was approved.

Woodlands Heights, Vanbrugh Hill, Blackheath, London, SE3 7EL - Ref: 25/1700/F

The committee granted full planning permission for the extension of the existing five-storey building to provide an additional floor of residential floorspace. This will comprise two two-bedroom units and six one-bedroom units, with private amenity spaces, additional cycle and waste storage, new loading bays, a new pedestrian access from Vanbrugh Hill, associated landscaping, and tree removal. Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins expressed concerns about the design, describing it as an imposing carbuncle and questioning the lack of specific data on daylight loss. However, the majority of the committee supported the officer's recommendation for approval, citing the need for housing and the developer's efforts to address previous concerns. Councillor Patricia Greenwell voted against the proposal, feeling it was not significantly different from previous refusals and would negatively impact residents of Lasseter Place. Councillor Asli Mohammed supported the application, believing it adequately addressed the inspector's concerns from the appeal. Councillors Dave Sullivan, Ashley Mohammed, and Jahdia Spencer also supported the application, noting its positive aspects and the need for housing. The decision was approved with an amendment to Condition 4, requiring the Construction Management Plan to include specific details regarding scaffolding, site staff welfare facilities, and the location of portaloos away from residential homes.

49 Tewson Road, Plumstead, London, SE18 1BB - Ref: 25/2343/F

Full planning permission was granted for the change of use of this dwelling to a six-bedroom HMO, along with ground floor rear extensions, an L-shaped rear dormer, and provisions for refuse and cycle storage. Councillor Adel Khaireh had called the application into committee due to concerns about overdevelopment, impact on neighbouring amenity, loss of family housing, parking, and fire safety. However, the committee approved the application, with most members finding that the proposal met planning standards and that the fallback position of permitted development for the dormer mitigated concerns.

33 Waverley Crescent, Plumstead, London, SE18 7QU - Ref: 25/2176/F

The committee granted full planning permission for the change of use of this dwelling to an eight-bedroom HMO. This includes the demolition of an existing side infill extension, construction of an L-shaped rear dormer, and provision of refuse and cycle storage. Councillor Patricia Greenwell expressed concerns about the potential for noise and disturbance from eight occupants, and the lack of specific data on daylight loss. She also raised concerns about communication with residents and the use of private land. However, the committee voted to approve the application, with an additional condition requiring sound insulation measures to be detailed in the notice of determination.

888 Sidcup Road, Eltham, London, SE9 3PN - Ref: 25/4165/F

Full planning permission was granted for the change of use of this dwelling to a six-person, six-bedroom HMO, with provision for refuse and cycle storage. Councillor Roger Tester had called the application into committee due to concerns about noise and disturbance. However, the committee found that the proposal met the required standards and that the location on a busy road mitigated potential noise impacts. The application was approved.

Item 10 - Withdrawn

Item 10, concerning 888 Sidcup Road, Eltham, London, SE9 3PN (Ref: 25/4165/F), was withdrawn from the agenda.

The meeting concluded at 7:36 pm.