Royal Arsenal, Woolwich: perseverance wins the day
The Royal Arsenal, on the Thames at Woolwich, south-east London, is one of the capital’s most important heritage sites.
United for Arsenal
At Woolwich the interests of the developer, local people and national heritage have all had to be taken into account.
The Armouries, Royal Arsenal Riverside, London by A&Q Partnership © Berkeley Homes
It features 22 Grade I and II listed buildings dating back to 1671, designed by architects including Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh. Following its closure as an armaments complex by the Ministry of Defence in the late 1960s, the 31- hectare site became a focus for regeneration.
Transforming the Royal Arsenal into a successful new community, while maintaining its historic character, has required a careful balance of interests of developer, local community and national heritage. CABE had to draw on all of its experience of reviewing ambitious regeneration projects to advise the developer, Berkeley Homes, and the London Borough of Greenwich.
We commented on the proposals eight times between 2004 and 2008. We advised that the early proposals were low quality and lacked a clear strategy, and when the secretary of state called in the scheme for public inquiry, design quality was listed as the leading consideration in making a decision.
This led to the appointment of new design teams, and the scheme improved dramatically. A new, well thought-out masterplan included a clear strategy for spaces and streets, and a better relationship to the historic context.
Tony Pidgley, managing director of Berkeley Homes, describes the relationship as difficult at first, while the company tried to manage CABE’s aspirations alongside those of other stakeholders: ‘But we were able to put our initial problems behind us, and address the issues in a professional way. I am pleased to say that working together we have produced a superior masterplan for this heritage site.’
Working together we have produced a superior masterplan for this heritage site.
Tony Pidgley, managing director Berkeley Homes
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