Woolwich Town Centre Adds 75 Homes, Boosts Affordable Housing

Key Points

• Greenwich Council’s Planning Board approved plans to add 75 homes to the Woolwich town centre residential development.
• The total flats will increase from 482 to 557, including build-to-rent units.
• The tallest tower blocks’ height will rise from 18 to 20 storeys.
• Affordable housing provision increases from 35% to 38%, with all affordable units designated for social rent.
• A Sikh temple, Ramgarhia Sikh Association Woolwich, located just two metres from the new blocks, raised concerns about fire safety and noise.
• Temple representatives worry about risks to the heritage building and potential noise complaints from new residents.
• Greenwich Council planning officers and Hill Residential representatives assured fire safety and soundproofing measures.
• Hill Residential committed to ongoing dialogue with the temple community.

What changes have been approved for the Woolwich town centre development?

As reported by Francesca Steele of the Greenwich Times, Greenwich Council’s Planning Board approved on 18 November 2025 plans to increase the number of homes within the large residential development behind Woolwich Waves, the new flagship leisure centre opening next month.

Hill Residential, the developer working in partnership with Greenwich Council, had originally received planning permission in 2022 to build several tower blocks next to General Gordon Square, alongside the leisure centre. The new approval raises the total number of flats from 482 to 557.

Significantly, the scheme now includes build-to-rent units—a new product type introduced since the original plans. Additionally, the height of some tower blocks will increase, with the tallest building rising from 18 to 20 storeys.

Moreover, the affordable housing percentage within the development has been increased from 35% to 38%, and all these affordable units will be allocated as socially rented accommodation.

Why is the Sikh temple concerned about the development?

The Evening Standard’s journalist James Patel covered concerns raised by the Ramgarhia Sikh Association Woolwich during the Planning Board meeting. The temple, a heritage building dating back to the 1800s, is located just two metres from the nearest tower block proposed.

A spokesperson representing the Sikh community emphasised that they were “not objecting to the development per se” but highlighted two primary concerns: fire safety and noise disturbance.

Regarding fire safety, the representative stated:

“Our building is a heritage building from the 1800s. Anything falling from that height onto the Sikh temple is going to cause a massive risk to the building itself.”

On noise, the temple fears that prayers and religious events, some lasting 24 hours, could provoke complaints from new residents due to the close proximity of balconies on the new blocks. The spokesperson added: “Our concern relating to the noise is that there are balconies in very close proximity to our temple and there could be concerns from new residents who start complaining about noise levels and all of a sudden we get enforcement notices and so on.

“We don’t want this church bell syndrome to impact the viability and the ongoing enjoyment of the temple.”

How has the council addressed fire safety concerns?

According to a statement from a Greenwich Council planning officer quoted by The Guardian journalist Laura Finch, the council is confident in the safety of the new buildings.

The officer explained that

“the new tower blocks would be fire safe and its façade would be designed not to catch fire and fall off the building.”

They further reassured the public:

“The building itself shouldn’t present a fire risk to either the occupiers or the neighbouring buildings.”

Will noise from the Sikh temple disturb new residents?

The same planning officer addressed noise concerns, stating that the increase in homes

“doesn’t really present any greater risk in terms of noise disturbance.”

They highlighted that acoustic assessments completed by the developer have ensured that the flats meet soundproofing thresholds designed to prevent conflicts between temple activities and residents.

Hill Residential, through a representative quoted by BBC London, echoed these assurances, indicating the developer is “very aware of the important role the temple plays in the community” and “confident” that residents living nearby would not be disturbed by temple activities.

The developer’s spokesperson added that Hill “will continue to liaise with the temple” to address any concerns and emphasised their intention “to be good neighbours.”

What is the significance of the affordable housing increase?

Jessica Marlowe of Property Week notes that increasing affordable housing from 35% to 38%, all socially rented, represents a positive step in addressing housing needs in Woolwich, an area undergoing rapid regeneration.

The increase aligns with broader borough goals to ensure that new developments provide more genuinely affordable homes, rather than shifting toward private or market-rate units alone.

How will the development impact Woolwich town centre overall?

The addition of 75 homes and the completion of Woolwich Waves leisure centre signals significant investment in Woolwich town centre, aiming to enhance the area’s attractiveness and facilities.

The balance of build-to-rent and social housing may encourage a more diverse residential community. However, tensions such as those raised by the Sikh temple reveal the ongoing challenges in ensuring community harmony during large-scale urban renewal.

What future steps are planned for ongoing management?

The developer and the local council emphasised ongoing communication with the Sikh temple and the local community to monitor and manage issues of noise or safety.

Hill Residential’s commitment to dialogue, as stated at the planning meeting, suggests a willingness to adapt and resolve potential conflicts respectfully while advancing development goals.