Residents of the Connaught, Morris Walk and Maryon Grove/Road estates in Woolwich are set to benefit from brand new homes and transformation of the area.
New proposals
Over 1,000 homes would be demolished and new homes built to replace them. This was agreed, following consultations, at a Cabinet meeting on 18 December 2007.
Download the notice about the planned demolition
The dates and phases for demolition have not been determined. The need to re-house people means it is not likely to happen very soon. However, we expect to begin discussions with residents in late 2008.
Redevelopment plans
The aims of the re-development are to:
- build a mix of affordable homes to rent and buy, as well as some homes to buy at market prices
- re-design the estates and their layout, with public spaces, communal areas, an attractive, safer environment and better accessibility
- improve the quality of life for residents by creating more comfortable, secure and energy-efficient homes built to the highest modern standards
- ensure that the residents are supported by quality local services and community facilities.
What happens next?
The Council will begin looking into how best to implement the plans, with re-housing residents a top priority in the process. We will also need to consider the timing of demolition and re-building.
We have secured funding to begin buying back leasehold properties, and have written to leaseholders on Connaught estate and some on the Morris Walk estate about this.
Residents' individual circumstances and the location of the property will determine when we re-purchase the property.
Leaseholders will receive a homeowners' booklet containing detailed information on the re-purchase process, home loss and disruption entitlements and new home options.
Decent homes
The plan forms part of Greenwich’s £220million Decent Homes strategy that aims to bring all the Council’s housing stock up to a better standard.
Many homes across the borough have already benefited from work to upgrade. This has included getting new windows, doors and fitted kitchens.
Find out more about Decent Homes
Consultation
The new proposals are the latest development of an initiative begun in 2006, when Greenwich Council decided to look at the potential for re-modelling the three estates in Woolwich.
Residents have been involved in consultations since 2006. This included a door-to-door Housing Needs Survey in 2006 of all tenants on the estates.
Survey results
Results of the survey will feed into the plans to re-develop the homes. They will help determine the mix and type of homes to be built. Re-housing decisions will also rely on information from the survey.
Eighty-seven per cent of residents responded – nearly nine out of ten households. The overwhelming majority of people were in favour of the proposals to re-develop the estates. Further to that:
- 65% would like to return to the area
- 24% were interested in shared ownership
- 69% preferred a house, 25% a flat and 5% a maisonette.