Greenwich Council has ordered the developer of a luxury residential scheme to knock it down, claiming that it deviates too far from the original plan.
The council issued an enforcement notice against the Comer Homes Group on Monday (25 September), deeming its Mast Quay development in Woolwich, south London, unlawful.
Greenwich Council said in a statement: “The council believes that the only reasonable and proportionate way to rectify the harm created by the finished Mast Quay phase two development to the local area, and the tenants living there, because of the changes made during its construction, is the complete demolition and the restoration of the land to its former condition.”
Comer Homes has announced that it will be appealing the decision to the Planning Inspectorate.
“The Comer Homes Group is surprised and extremely disappointed by the decision of the Royal Borough of Greenwich to issue an enforcement notice in respect of our Mast Quay phase two development,” the company said in a statement.
“We have over many months sought to engage constructively with the council, and notwithstanding these disproportionate actions, remain willing to do so.”
Building work on the second phase of Mast Quay was completed in 2022 and tenants have already moved in. If Comer Homes’ appeal is unsuccessful, residents will have to find alternative accommodation.
The latest part of the scheme comprises 206 residential units across two buildings, one with 15 storeys and the other varying between 6 and 23 storeys.
The council said it hadid identified 26 deviations to the original planning permission. These include visible differences from the proposed design and materials, non-provision of roof gardens and children’s play areas and lack of wheelchair access to balconies and the residents’ gym.
On its website, Comer Homes describes the scheme as a “magnificent crafted living space with panoramic views of the River Thames”.
The first phase of Mast Quay, comprising three lower-rise towers, was substantially completed by 2007 and is not affected by the enforcement notice.
Planning permission was originally granted to Mast Quay Developments Ltd in 2012. Permission was passed to Comer Homes after the original developer went into administration.
Council leader Anthony Okereke said: “The right thing to do is not usually the easy thing to do.
“That is why we will not stand by and allow poor quality and unlawful development anywhere in our borough and we are not afraid of taking difficult decisions when we believe it’s the right thing to do.”
