Plans to renovate a vacant Woolwich pub and turn it into an ‘aparthotel’ have been lodged with Greenwich Council.
This is the second time a planning application has been submitted to convert The Lord Raglan pub at 158 Burrage Road, Woolwich, into an aparthotel – a serviced accommodation type that blends self-catered rooms with a hotel’s typical amenities.
The previous aparthotel application was refused in April. Greenwich planners felt the proposed double-storey extension to the rear of the pub would “fail to respect the character” of the pub and its height would impose on three nearby homes.
This new application has been reduced in scope from an 18-room complex to a 16-room one, but the applicant Raglan Woolwich Ltd still wants to build an extra floor on top of the two-storey pub, as well as reconfigure 160 Burrage Road to become a flat for the aparthotel’s eventual manager.
The Lord Raglan would come back into use as part of the new plans. According to planning documents, the pub was on the market for 16 months but received no formal offers to take it over at a cost of £50,000 a year.
One operator looking to establish a late-night shisha bar was interested in the property, but the landlord deemed it unsuitable due to the residential nature of the area. The pub “generally attracted” interest from parties looking to operate a smaller retail business, or redevelop the property altogether.
The proposed change of use to an aparthotel would allow the pub to reopen. Pub property specialist AG&G director Michael Penfold said: “We believe that the proposed 18-bedroom aparthotel would enhance the appeal of the pub as it could help serve the aparthotel customers with a dedicated food and beverage offer.
“We are advised by the landlord that the lack of living accommodation directly above the pub would be addressed by offering a two-bedroom house next door (160 Burrage Road, owned by the freeholder) for any ingoing pub tenant to lease.”
In response to the previous application’s refusal, one of the first-floor extensions has been set back to lessen the impact on 28 to 30 Raglan Road.
Planning documents state: “Overall, it is considered that the proposal has positive merit. The local area study demonstrates that it is in keeping with other corner sites and sits comfortably within its surroundings.
“Furthermore, the accommodation provided will benefit the pub below, which will continue to operate as such, and will meet the local need for temporary accommodation for professionals working in the area.”
The planning application can be viewed on Greenwich Council’s planning portal at reference 26/1669/F.
