Plan to knock down former Bowes shoe shop rejected by Greenwich Council

Darryl Chamberlain
Bowes shoe shop
The old Bowes shoe shop closed at Christmas 2015

Plans to demolish one of Charlton Village’s best-loved shops have been halted after an intervention from Greenwich Council’s conservation officer.

No objections were received to the proposal to knock down the old Bowes shoe shop, which closed in December 2015.

A developer wanted to build a new shop on the ground floor with two 2-bedroom flats and two studio flats to match the parade of shops next door. “The property is in a bad condition thus demolition will be more suitable,” planning documents submitted to Greenwich Council said.

But Greenwich’s planning officers threw out the plan, saying the “development would result in the demolition of a building which positively contributes to the character of the Charlton Village Conservation Area”.

The Charlton Society did not lodge a comment on the application, although one individual wrote in to observe that “the view of Docklands enjoyed by 34-44 The Village would be lost”, without making an objection.

33 The Village
Bowes was one of the last remaining traditional shops

The council’s conservation officer said that: “The significance of the building lies in its historic contribution to the understanding of the development of the area; and its architectural/aesthetic contribution to the character and appearance of the Charlton Village Conservation Area.

“The building’s diminutive scale and proportions; its traditional shopfront; and its overall appearance make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area, which retains a real village identity. The latter is in danger of being eroded by new development.”

There were also concerns about the effect on neighbouring properties, whether the new flats would have sufficient light, and about car parking.

Since the shop closed it has mostly remained empty, although it did briefly trade as a gift shop in the run-up to Christmas. The council issued its rejection in December, but the decision has only recently come to light.

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