Greenwich Hospital has confirmed that it will be appealing against the Council's decision to reject its market regeneration plans.
The decision - first reported on this site yesterday by Andrew Gilligan - was relayed to traders at a meeting last night and confirmed by Greenwich Hospital in a press release this morning.
Greenwich Hospital will be asking the Planning Inspectorate to consider the same proposal that was unanimously rejected by Greenwich Council's Planning Board last August.
Martin Sands, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said:
“The Hospital’s criteria for the regeneration of Greenwich Market has always been that any improvements to the Hospital’s properties in Greenwich town centre would need to:
- Retain the diversity of shops and stalls.
- Be architecturally, physically and financially viable.
- Be capable of standing the test of time.
- Be mindful of Greenwich’s status as a World Heritage Site and as a
- Maritime Heritage Site.
- Complement Greenwich’s unique position as a tourist and retail
- destination.
Greenwich Hospital continues to believe that the market regeneration scheme which was not approved by Greenwich Council in August 2009 meets the above criteria.
Greenwich Hospital says that if permission is granted, work will not begin until 2013.
In an interview with Greenwich.co.uk last December, Nick Raynsford MP said "I think that if they appeal they have a very good chance of success".
Update: A spokesperson for Greenwich Council has told Greenwich.co.uk:
The council will defend the unanimous decision of its Planning Board and would urge all residents who opposed the scheme to make representations to the planning inspectorate.