The Planning Inspectorate has said they expect a decision on the demolition of the towers to be handed out by the end of December
Last year Greenwich council issued Comer Homes, the owner of the Mast Quay tower blocks in Woolwich, with a demolition order.
The order was given due to the council finding 26 deviations from the plans sent to them.
The Mast Quay tower blocks were made to be residential
The towers were designed by Upchurch Associates, based in Southwark, and consist of three blocks at 23 storeys each. The plans were approved in 2012 and construction began in 2022.
Comer Homes began the construction after the original owners of the blocks fell into administration.
After the council gave Comer Homes their order, they launched an appeal in October 2023. The planning inspectorate began their inquiry in July 2024 and finished in September.
Residents in the building have also launched a campaign to attempt to stop the demolition, called Save Our Sails.
Comer Homes blamed changes caused by Grenfell
Comer Homes have previously blamed changes caused by the Grenfell disaster for the deviations to the plans, especially in regard to fire-safety regulations. Comer Homes lawyers stated that the company was “convinced it needed to build differently to the pre-Grenfell permission”.
However, the council remain adamant that the changes for fire regulations, such as the cladding of the building, is just one issue amongst many in the Mast Quay tower blocks.
The decision is expected to be announced before Christmas
The council stated that two of the blocks took up more space with a larger footprint than the planning consent allowed, and that there was a lack of accessibility in many of the apartments.
They also said that roof gardens and a children’s playground are absent, while a car park occupies space originally intended for a garden area.
In September, Comer Homes said that “[Comer Homes] remains confident a sensible decision will be made for all residents of Mast Quay”.
I do hope the council show this company “Comer Homes” is taught a lesson and to demonstrate that other errant/law breaking development companies can’t take advantage of council/government weakness.
I also would like the tenants who always get taken for granted are awarded appropriate compensation by the developer who quite clearly lied for the sake of profit.