Plans for Woolwich Exchange regeneration

Specialist compulsory purchase solicitor, Catherine Hibbert, examines a new regeneration scheme to boost Woolwich Town Centre.

Plans are underway to promote the Woolwich Exchange regeneration scheme which aims to deliver a comprehensive, residential-led, mixed use scheme to extend and enhance Woolwich Town centre. In addition to the delivery of approximately 800 new homes, including a proportion of affordable housing, the Woolwich Exchange scheme will include a leisure and retail offering and enhancements to the public realm, all of which will benefit from the excellent public transport connections which this location has to offer.

This comprehensive proposal, lead by the Royal Borough of Greenwich and its development partners, has been delayed for various reasons, including the pandemic and the listing of the existing covered market which falls within the scheme boundary. However a compulsory purchase order to facilitate the land assembly for this scheme was confirmed in July 2023 and will enable the Council and its partners to acquire all the title interests they need to deliver the project even where affected landowners do not agree to the proposed acquisition.

Around 145 existing businesses, plus some residential and community premises are included within the scheme boundary. Whilst the promoters’ stated aim has been to negotiate the acquisition of the property interests it needs to deliver the scheme by private treaty, ahead of the use of compulsory purchase powers and to support existing businesses in their relocation to alternative trading premises, it seems likely that compulsory purchase powers will need to be exercised to secure those title interests which still remain in private ownership.

Holmes & Hills LLP has a dedicated team of specialist compulsory purchase lawyers who are experts in supporting individuals and businesses who are impacted by compulsory purchase proposals such as the Woolwich Exchange Scheme. If you are affected by this scheme but have not yet reached agreement with the Council and its partners as to the acquisition of your title interest and/or the relocation of your business then please do not hesitate to get in touch for independent advice on your options and the scope of your claim for compensation. Our expert team can help guide you through the compulsory purchase process and ensure that you recover the maximum legal compensation entitlement.