The Grove London, Eltham Building: Residential

The Grove Housing London, Eltham Property, SE9 Homes, Architect, Greenwich Architecture Design Project

The Grove, Eltham Property

Greenwich Residential Building Development in south-east London – design by DLA Architecture

20 Jan 2009

The Grove Eltham Residential Property

DLA Architecture win planning permission for The Grove

Design: DLA Architecture

Location: Grove Place, Royal Borough of Greenwich, SE9, UK

DLA Architecture have won planning permission for a 129-unit mixed-use scheme in Eltham, south-east London, for developer Cathedral Group PLC. The proposal, which will also provide three restaurants and café at ground floor level along with a convenience store, pharmacy and GP surgery, was allowed at appeal following a three-day public inquiry in November last year.

The Grove Housing The Grove Housing Eltham
images : Hectic Electric

The Inspector dismissed arguments that the scheme is too tall and provides accommodation at too high a density, stating that the project represents exceptional quality design, and that overall its impact would be positive. At 624 habitable rooms per hectare and with a PTAL rating of 5, the proposal falls well within the figures set out in the London Plan.

Cathedral Group’s intention is to provide a catalyst for further regeneration in Eltham, and the scheme will be a great boost to an area which has seen little in the way of new development for the last fifty years, consequently falling behind other towns of similar size. Affordable housing is provided at 35%, with the affordable units located throughout the scheme and as such indistinguishable from the private provision.

The design is inspired by the pattern of colours on the London Plane, a tree that is common to the area, and instantly recognisable by the subtle dappled hues of its bark. London Plane trees thrive in urban areas, improving the quality of the local environment by trapping pollutants in the leaves and bark. As part of the proposal three plane trees will be planted to the front of the site to form part of a new public space fronted by the café and restaurants.

The decision completes a 20-month process during which DLA Architecture and Cathedral Group, along with Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners Planning Consultants, revised the scheme to address concerns held by members of the public and Greenwich Planning Board. Despite officer’s recommendation for approval and the changes made to the scheme, committee members chose to refuse the scheme in June 2008. The design team now look forward to developing the proposals towards a start on site later this year.

The Grove Eltham images / information from DLA Architecture Ltd 300109

Location: The Grove, Eltham, Southeast London, England, UK

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