In an unprecedented move, Greenwich council has ordered the demolition of two residential towers because of ‘significant deviations’ from planning permission.
During an investigation, the London borough discovered 26 deviations from permission granted in 2012 for the two apartment blocks in the Mast Quay Phase II development.
Deviations included increased footprint size; a lack of roof gardens – meant to be open to the public – and children’s play areas; and non-accessible ‘accessible’ apartments, which have steps to balconies.
The ‘mutant development’ is a ‘blight on the landscape’, Greenwich’s cabinet member for regeneration Cllr Aidan Smith said.
He added: ‘we cannot let what has been delivered at Mast Quay Phase II go unchallenged.’
The planning authority issued an enforcement notice to Comer Homes Group on Monday, and said it was the first time it had ordered the demolition of a development on this scale.
Council leader Anthony Okereke said: ‘This decision is not one that the Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken lightly, but I believe it is reasonable and proportionate to the scale and seriousness of the situation.’
The Comer Homes Group said it was ‘surprised and extremely disappointed’ by the decision.
The luxury homes developer said: ‘We are particularly surprised to see the accompanying public statements which are inaccurate and misrepresent the position and our actions.
‘We will be appealing against the enforcement notice and look forward to robustly correcting the inaccuracies and addressing the council’s concerns.’
The council said it had contacted tenants of the apartment blocks to provide support and advice.
