Comer Homes wins appeal for Mast Quay Phase II BTR
17/01/25
First published on BTR News (17 Jan 2025).
Comer Homes secures approval to retain its Mast Quay Phase II Build to Rent development, adding 204 homes to Greenwich’s housing supply.
Developer Comer Homes has successfully overturned a demolition order for its Mast Quay Phase II development in Woolwich, southeast London.
On 9 January 2025 – following an appeal and a 15-day Public Inquiry last summer – the Planning Inspector stated that planning permission would be granted for the already-occupied Build to Rent scheme, subject to conditions.
Mast Quay Phase II features two residential towers of 23 and 15 storeys, which comprise 204 much-needed Build to Rent apartments and 28 affordable homes.
The importance of the development and what it offers residents has been recognised by the Planning Inspector as significantly ‘outweighing the planning breaches’.
“The benefits of the development include the provision of 204 residential units including 28 affordable housing units, in a borough where there is a woeful undersupply of housing, and the payment of an affordable housing contribution of £4.4m to [the Royal Borough of Greenwich].
“These benefits, in themselves and as a matter of planning judgement, are compelling.”
John Braithwaite, Planning Inspector
The scheme had been at the centre of a dispute after Greenwich Council issued an enforcement notice in 2023, arguing that the development deviated significantly from its approved planning permission. An agreement has now been reached.
The approval is conditional on Comer Homes addressing 11 material deviations from the original plans within three years, or the council’s demolition order could still be enforced. However, the developer has expressed happiness that an agreement has been reached, with the residents of the scheme prioritised.
“We’re happy with the decision made by the independent inquiry and pleased that a satisfactory outcome has been reached for the good of the residents.
“We look forward to now working closely with Greenwich Council to move forward and bring this situation to a positive end.”
Spokesperson, Comer Homes
One of the most significant changes involves replacing the orange cladding panels on the towers built with a more neutral colour, to be approved by Greenwich Council.
Comer Homes has also been instructed to submit a detailed timetable of works within three months to set out a timescale (to be agreed with the Council) for doing the required changes.
Moreover, the Mast Quay Phase II development is helping to ease the supply and demand imbalance in southeast London, through the delivery of the Build to Rent apartments and affordable housing.
This decision provides clarity for residents of the already-occupied development, while also reinforcing the role that Build to Rent schemes can play in tackling housing shortages across the city.