The Royal Borough of Greenwich has appointed developer Lovell to undertake a £269 million redevelopment programme which will transform three Woolwich council estates.

The project, in partnership with asra Housing Group, will see the demolition and redevelopment of the 1,064-home Connaught, Morris Walk and Maryon Road / Grove estates and their replacement with 1,500 new high-quality, mixed tenure homes.

Construction work on the 13-year programme for the three estates, which occupy around 12 hectares of land to the east and west of Woolwich town centre, is set to start in May 2014 following an extensive stakeholder consultation programme and the plans successfully completing the full planning process.

Lovell, which has a solid record of achievement in working with communities to create successful, sustainable mixed tenure neighbourhoods, was chosen for the scheme following a rigorous selection process. The architects are Pollard Thomas Edwards.

The development will provide major job and training opportunities locally including 90 apprenticeships over the duration of the scheme. Lovell will also create a £150,000 Community Trust fund for community groups and projects through its Lovell Legacy commitment to establish lasting benefits for local neighbourhoods.


The scheme will create 975 new homes for open market sale; 375 homes for affordable rent and 150 shared ownership homes. All properties will be energy efficient, meeting Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. asra Housing Group will be responsible for the management of the new shared ownership and affordable rent homes.

Councillor Steve Offord, Royal Borough of Greenwich Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "The redevelopment of the three Woolwich Estates represents a key part of our ongoing plans to transform Woolwich and the wider Royal Borough after decades of economic decline.

'The scheme, which will be subject to major public consultation and the full planning process, will provide much needed quality homes and new public spaces for new and expanding communities. The development will be greatly enhanced by ongoing investment in transport, including two new Crossrail stations, new businesses of all sizes, new homes elsewhere in the Royal Borough and much improved educational and community facilities.

"The Royal Borough's award-winning jobs and training scheme GLLaB (Greenwich Local Labour and Business) has helped more than 16,000 residents find jobs and training opportunities. It will play a key role to ensure that local people, including residents from the estates, benefit from the scheme through maximum opportunities to gain new jobs, apprenticeships and are able to improve their skills and long term employment opportunities.

"In recognising the significance of this important milestone being met, I want to record special thanks to all the residents of the three estates for their support and patience as plans have developed over a number of years. We will ensure that they continue to receive all the practical support, advice and information they need as the project progresses over the coming months and years ahead."

(CD)