In 2006, the council received a major application to develop the Woolwich town centre.

The plans for this mixed use scheme included 960 residential units, community and or office blocks, retail store, retail, food and drink units, 1,172 car parking spaces and cycle parking.

Successful negotiations between planners, air quality officers, the legal department and developers of the scheme ensured that the Section 106 agreement secured improvements in air quality within the designated Air Quality Management Area, and a whole range of low emission measures.

The proposed completion date for Woolwich town centre development is 2010. Upon completion the town centre will facilitate:

• provision of a car club and controls on parking permits
• 500 residential spaces with an annual charge of nil to £300 depending on Vehicle Excise Duty rating of the car
• ten electric vehicle charging points within the residential car park;
• 50 per cent of delivery vehicles and 50 per cent home delivery vehicles to meet Euro 5 rating by store opening and to be using bio-fuel. 100 per cent within 5 years
• £160,000 per annum for 10 years towards the council’s environment monitoring
• 10 per cent renewable energy commitment Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) 'excellent' rating
• a combined heat and power plant
• an auditing process on the implementation of these measures at five and ten years after store opening