A Greenwich pub dating back to the early 1900s could have a hotel added on top of it in a set of upcoming plans. Greenwich Council has received plans for an aparthotel to be built above Hardy’s Free House in East Greenwich.
The plans would see the Trafalgar Road pub having 10 aparthotel rooms being added in an extra storey to be built above the pub. Changes to the pub itself include a back extension and new design with two entrances, one for the pub and another for the aparthotel, to make the building more ‘inviting’.
Council documents said existing bedrooms in the building, which have been empty for 10 years, are planned to be renovated in the project. Planning documents from Urbanist Architecture, on behalf of MAF Real Estate, said the additional storey for the building has been proposed in the context of the generally low rise buildings of the street. The pub reportedly dates back to 1926, with the new rooms providing short-term lets and access to small kitchenettes and en-suite bathrooms.
The proposal was originally brought to the council’s planning committee in November last year, but the decision was deferred to allow for a site visit by members. Neighbours sent 28 objections to the project, citing concerns on the rise in noise levels and its impact on the character of the surrounding area.
Council officers said in their report that the proposal was required to proactively manage noise impacts in a variety of ways. They added that the development should not result in any significant loss to amenity to nearby properties, such as reducing daylight, privacy or the views from neighbours’ homes.
Planning documents said: “The proposed new building has an additional storey clad in a rainbow red zinc, with arched motifs. The design responds to the site by taking references from the materials and shapes in the neighbourhood, as well as historic reference on shape and material palette.”
They added: “The materials have been chosen to complement the neighbouring buildings, as well as offer a modern yet respectful addition to the street.”
The plans to build an aparthotel above Hardy’s Free House will be discussed at a planning committee meeting for Greenwich Council on January 16.
Picture 1: Hardy’s Free House, as seen on Trafalgar Road in East Greenwich. Credit: Google Earth
Picture 2: A CGI for the plans proposed for Hardy’s Free House. . Credit: Urbanist Architecture / MAF Real Estate
