As you may know already, Ikea has planning permission to build a store on the site of the old “eco” Sainsbury’s in Greenwich – a prospect which has flat-pack furniture fans five miles already reaching for their car keys, and residents who live a mile away groaning.
Campaigners against the store recently switched to a strategy of damage limitation after being advised that a legal challenge would be unlikely to work, since Transport for London had agreed with Ikea’s claim that the development would not add extra traffic to the area.
The new Ikea will come on top of a relocated Sainsbury’s plus M&S at Gallions Road, another an expanded retail park close to the river, and a relocated Matalan on Woolwich Road.
For its part, Ikea has been talking to local residents’ groups, including the Charlton Society and Charlton Central Residents’ Association.
“How can we make the best of this situation? What do we, as neighbours of the proposed store, want to see to prevent Ikea grinding local transport to a halt? What do we think the store should look like? And what part should Ikea play in the local community?
“The Charlton Society’s planning committee is talking to Ikea about the future. We’d like to hear your ideas. Should the road junction at the Woolwich Road flyover be altered? How can we make it easier for people to have goods delivered? What extra public transport would you like to see? And how can we improve on Ikea’s trademark blue box?”
Ideas include emulating the new-ish Ikea store in Altona, Hamburg, which is aimed at attracting a 50/50 split between car drivers and those coming on public transport, on bike or by foot.
Do you have any ideas you can feed into the process? Let the Charlton Society know.
The Charlton Champion 
Personally, I view the acceptance of the ikea’s outline planning proposal as an indication that local councillors are too easily led by big businesses. Greenwich council should be proactive in dictating the ‘Charlton Masterplan’ and set benchmark criteria on pollution levels and traffic limits that businesses must follow – which would help settle the debate as to whether any new store is to be considered ‘suitable’ for the area.
However banking in the fact that my wishes are in la la land…
How about the new ikea store commits to retaining the same green space lost by soon to be demolished Sainsbury’s? The new store could build green space into its design if it was clever enough, how about a green roof? – Would provide a better view than a blue shed for the millions viewing from the royal observatory.
People, myself included, will drive to Ikea – its just that kind of store. But how about Ikea providing public support to possible extensions of the dlr to South-East London? Might help with the commute and help mitigate overall pollution.