Greenwich Market boutique hotel controversy rumbles on

LOCAL Greenwich councillors and residents took to the streets on Sunday to protest against the prospect of a new hotel and redevelopment at the famous Greenwich Market in south-east London

Plans to build the 104-bedroom hotel and “regenerate” the covered market were thrown out by Greenwich Council’s planning board last year but local landlords, Greenwich Hospital, are appealing to the independent Planning Inspectorate to overturn that decision.

Councillor David Grant was at the demonstration and commented that the proposal would provide more accommodation “but at the same time make Greenwich less attractive to visit.”

Edward Dolby from Greenwich Hospital Trust commented “The hotel that features in our regeneration plans will be a welcome addition to the town centre and not a threat or competitor to the market – rather it should provide additional custom for our traders.”

The developers got a boost earlier late last year when local MP, Nick Raynsford, told a local website that the council had been “absolutely wrong” to reject the proposal and that he had “no doubt” that the redevelopment would eventually go ahead.

It had been previously been announced that The Bespoke Hotel Company Ltd would be the operator for the boutique hotel if it’s built. If consent is given by the Planning Inspectorate, Greenwich Hospital expects the project to complete in time for Christmas 2014.

The independent Planning Inspector will begin his inquiry next month.