Berkeley Group, in partnership with Peabody, has completed 206 homes at Lombard Square, Plumstead, in the Thamesmead and Abbey Wood Opportunity Area. This marks the first residential phase of a 17-acre brownfield regeneration site which will deliver nearly 2,000 homes including 765 affordable homes (40%), alongside new public spaces, employment floorspace and improved local infrastructure and connections.

This first phase brings forward 54 affordable homes and is now ready for residents, with grant funding from the GLA and infrastructure funding from Homes England playing a key role in unlocking overall delivery and enabling early affordable housing provision in a time of housing need.

Developed with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the Lombard Square masterplan will also deliver just over 47,000 sq. ft of light industrial, community, commercial and employment space, creating approximately 187 permanent jobs once fully complete.

Once home to Arsenal Football Club and later industrial use until 2016, the site is a catalyst for change in this part of West Thamesmead and is being reimagined into a sustainable neighbourhood, anchored by extensive green infrastructure. Delivered at the same time as these first new homes, Berkeley has created a 1.8-acre four-seasons park, and overall plans include 2.7 acres of additional parkland, and 35,000 sq. ft of public play space, contributing to a projected 45% Biodiversity Net Gain. New pedestrian and cycle links will connect Plumstead, Broadwater Green and Thamesmead, with improved access to the Ridgeway and local transport, including Plumstead Station.

The development also features a low-carbon open-loop Ground Source Heat Pump network, which is expected to deliver around 70% lower carbon emissions than air-source systems. Additional sustainability features include solar panels, water-efficient fittings and electric charging infrastructure across the neighbourhood.

Paul Prichard, Development Director at Berkeley Capital, said: “Completing these initial homes at Lombard Square is an important first step in the regeneration of Plumstead West Thamesmead and for new housing delivery in this part of the Borough and South-East London. This early progress reflects strong collaboration with Peabody, the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the GLA and Homes England, whose support has been fundamental in unlocking the site and enabling the delivery of this first phase of homes.

“Housing delivery remains challenging across the Capital, so maintaining momentum here will rely on sustained partnership and the right conditions for development. Lombard Square is a long-term regeneration programme, of which we are already very proud and we continue to be focused on delivering high-quality homes, green space and wider community benefit as the neighbourhood evolves.”