Woolwich Electric Works approved with 1,448-unit living scheme

A major £425 million regeneration project in Woolwich town centre has received unanimous planning approval from the Royal Borough of Greenwich, paving the way for one of London’s most ambitious mixed-tenure residential schemes in recent years.

The Electric Works development, brought forward by re:shape, will deliver 1,448 new homes across five buildings rising up to 23 storeys. The 2.72-acre brownfield site—previously closed to the public for nearly two decades—will be transformed into a new neighbourhood combining student accommodation, co-living studios, and residential homes with a significant public realm and commercial offering.

The consented scheme includes:

930 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds, 35% of which will be affordable;

425 co-living studios;

93 residential homes, with 40% affordable housing (70% of which will be for social rent).

Alongside the residential mix, the proposals include commercial and community space, a new children’s nursery, and landscaping enhancements designed to create pedestrian-friendly public spaces. The plan also reconnects the area with surrounding parts of Woolwich through new routes and a proposed Super Cycle Highway.

At the heart of the masterplan is the retained and repurposed Electric Works building, a historic former Electricity Department office on Powis Street. Its preservation and integration have shaped the design approach, which draws on Woolwich’s industrial and architectural heritage. Design features include multi-tone brickwork, Crittall-style windows, and sawtooth roofs, along with embedded public art developed in collaboration with local artists.

The development is located near Woolwich Arsenal and Woolwich Elizabeth line stations, offering strong transport connectivity. The site previously housed Market Pound storage facilities and sits on historically significant land, once occupied by Woolwich Polytechnic and the Drill Hall.

The scheme was developed following extensive engagement with local residents, community groups and other stakeholders, with a revised masterplan addressing previous planning concerns by focusing on deliverability and public benefit. It is expected to support a multi-generational, diverse community in the town centre.

Sustainability features are central to the project, including BREEAM ‘Excellent’ targets for Blocks A to C, a shared energy centre, air source heat pumps, PV panels, blue roofs, and a biodiversity net gain of 10%. A circular economy strategy underpins the design, using recycled materials and planning for future adaptability and disassembly.

The project team includes Studio Bosk (landscape), Whitby Wood (structural), Applied Energy (M&E), and Savills (planning). Carbon.Climate.Certified advised on sustainability and ESG.