This petition calls on energy company SGN and the Royal Borough of Greenwich to follow the policy, endorsed at the Cabinet of the Borough Council in November 2017, by creating a plan which re-purposes the historic East Greenwich No 1 Gas Holder as a landmark heritage building within development plans for the Greenwich Peninsula.

And we urge the new Council when it is elected to pursue further discussions with SGN and heritage bodies on the future of the holder and its site"

Background

In April 2018 gas distribution company SGN were given approval by Royal Borough of Greenwich for a means of dismantling East Greenwich No 1 Gas Holder, the dismantling itself being a permitted development. This was received in the pre-election period when elected councillors are in 'purdah' (ie normal council business is suspended and a time limited decision, like this one, would be passed to officers).

It appears the planners’ decision is in direct contradiction of the Planning Brief policy regarding the gas holder which states:

“Proposals should respect and respond to the industrial character of the area as a means of relating new development to the local context. In particular, development should build on the heritage value of the gas holder to enhance the character and distinctiveness of the area.”

This is a material consideration in planning and proposals should have been measured by RBG planners against this approved policy of the Borough, discussing in detail means of meeting its requirements. The dismantling proposal submitted to RBG by SGN’s consultants failed to respond to, or mention, this approved policy for the gas holder. This should have led to the proposal being refused by RBG planners on behalf of the Borough; instead, it was approved.