The Royal Borough of Greenwich to consider proposals to make the most out of the properties and land it owns to unlock growth, make savings and generate revenue

On 16 October 2024 the Council’s Cabinet will decide, subject to call-in, on a series of recommendations aimed at making the best use of the land and properties that it owns to unlock investment and growth across the borough as well as making savings and generating essential revenue.  

The proposals Cabinet will consider include three former school caretakers’ houses to be made available to local people on the Council’s housing register, 23 sites which are recommended to be let, and eleven sites that are recommended to be sold. They come following a detailed review and support the Council’s plans to be carbon neutral by 2030 as well as promoting easier, greener and safer ways to travel. 

A council spokesperson said: “We are a well-managed council, but to remain financially stable, so we can continue to provide the services that residents deserve, we must make the best use of the land and the properties that we own. We have 788 sites totaling 6.3million square feet and although we have a high occupancy rate, 93 per cent, due to high operating and maintenance costs, we are not covering our costs. Our priority is to ensure we get the best possible results and deliver good value for money to benefit all our residents. 

“Councils all over London are reckoning with reduced income and the rising costs and demand for adult and children’s social care, as well as temporary accommodation. We have had to make £33.7million in savings to cover our shortfall and balance our budget for the current year. Next year we’re forecasting a budget gap of at least £27million.” 

All sites have been considered for Council use before putting forward these recommendations. For any site that is recommended to be sold, the Council would then invite bids through a transparent and comprehensive process. Due to the costs associated with bringing forward a development scheme alongside viability issues none of the proposed sites to be sold are recommended for use to build council homes on, however if any sites are sold and did gain planning permission, they would be required to provide affordable housing if the development scheme was delivering more than ten homes.  

List of sites 

Properties recommended to be repurposed and use as temporary accommodation 

• Former caretaker's house, James Wolfe School 
• Former caretaker's house, Greenacres Primary School  
• Former caretaker's house, Alexander McLeod Primary School 

Properties recommended to be sold 

White Hart Road Depot (Plumstead Power Station): The Council’s ambition has always been to bring Plumstead Power Station, a unique grade II listed heritage building and important piece of the area’s history, back in use. It could be used for a range of purposes and contribute to Plumstead’s growing prosperity. It is recommended for rent on a long lease with an upfront payment. 

61 King George Street: A former school caretaker’s house over three floors on the grounds of James Wolfe School near Greenwich Park. It needs complete refurbishment, so instead of spending thousands of pounds on one home, selling it will allow the Council to invest in new council homes.  

Abery Street Car Park: A small car park on Plumstead High Street close to Plumstead Station and many bus stops. It is not well used and does not generate much parking income. As part of the Council’s Carbon Neutral Plan and Transport Strategy, we aim to reduce the number of car journeys made in the borough and encourage more people to walk, cycle or use public transport as well as reducing traffic and pollution. The site may be attractive to property developers due to its town centre location. It will remain open until any sale is agreed. 

Charlton Village Car Park: Two small car parks in Charlton Village and close to bus stops. It is not well used and does not generate much parking income. As part of the Council’s Carbon Neutral Plan and Transport Strategy, we aim to reduce the number of car journeys made in the borough and encourage more people to walk, cycle or use public transport as well as reducing traffic and pollution. The site may be attractive to property developers due to its town centre location. It will remain open until any sale is agreed. 

Old Dover Road Car Park: A small car park near Blackheath Standard shopping parade and close to Westcombe Park Station and bus stops. It is not well used and does not generate much parking income. As part of the Council’s Carbon Neutral Plan and Transport Strategy, we aim to reduce the number of car journeys made in the borough and encourage more people to walk, cycle or use public transport as well as reducing traffic and pollution. The site may be attractive to property developers due to its location. It will remain open until any sale is agreed. 

Eltham Tramsheds: The former tram shelters on Well Hall Road are in poor condition and contain asbestos. A previous survey estimated it would cost at least half a million to refurbish the shelters, which the Council would not be able to recover through future rent. 

Ormiston Road: Two terraced residential houses close to Westcombe Park Station on Ormiston Road in a high value area. They are currently rented on a concessionary rate as office space to a charity. Both houses are in need of costly refurbishment and have high running costs. 

Knee Hill Toilet Block: A disused toilet block located near Abbey Wood town centre and the Elizabeth line station. The site may be attractive to property developers due to its location.  

Rodmere Street Toilet Block: A disused toilet block located near the Greenwich Centre and Maze Hill Station. The site may be attractive to property developers due to its location. If the site is recommended to be sold, we will invite bids through a transparent and comprehensive process. 

Thistlebrook Industrial Estate: An industrial estate with eight warehouses and car park in Abbey Wood close to the Elizabeth line station. The estate has high running costs. 

Mortuary & Coroner's Office: Miller House is a listed building with more than half an acre and currently the borough’s Mortuary & Coroner’s Office. It is located very close to both Greenwich and Deptford stations. The Council is in discussion with the Coroner and other Consortium members (Lewisham, Lambeth, Southwark) about the future of the facility – which could be moved to Eltham Crematorium if funding can be secured for a brand-new purpose built mortuary. The Miller House may be attractive to property developers due to its size and location.  

Properties recommended to be let 

• Anchorage Point (Industrial Estate) – Unit 3/4 
• Anchorage Point (Industrial Estate) – Unit 6/7 
• Nathan Way Business Park – Unit 20/21 
• Nathan Way Business Park – Unit 20/21 
• Calderwood Complex 
• Anchorage Point (Industrial Estate) – Unit 16 
• Anchorage Point (Industrial Estate) – Unit 5 
• Ashleigh (Industrial Estate) – Unit 3 
• Ashleigh (Industrial Estate) – 95 to 105 Eastmoor Street 
• White Hart Road Depot (Plumstead Power Station) 
• Penhall Road 6 & 4A 
• Old Town Hall 
• Former caretaker's house, James Wolfe School 
• Former caretaker's house, Greenacres Primary School  
• Former caretaker's house, Alexander McLeod Primary School  
• Abbey Wood (Ex Neighbourhood Office) 
• 60 William Barefoot Drive, 60 (Ex Neighbourhood Office) 
• Plumstead Development Centre 
• Land at Clock Tower Market 
• Trafalgar Road, 187 
• Bostall Gardens Café 
• Woolwich Leisure Centre Café 
• Market Pavilion Café