A couple living beside a pair of Grade II listed 16th century docks in London have said they have the best view in the city, as plans to build on the site that were approved 12 years ago show no signs of progressing.
Woolwich Dry Docks sits on the edge of Greenwich borough beside the River Thames, facing North Woolwich.
The original dockyard was reportedly founded in 1512 to build the Great Harry ship for King Henry VIII.
The yard was used until 1869, with the dry docks having since been filled with water and the granite steps becoming covered in bushes and weeds.
Derek Barker, 88, was born in Woolwich and has lived beside the dry docks for over 20 years with his wife Jean, 85.
The resident recalls when locals used to be able to walk around the docks before they were closed off, with Jean describing the couple’s home on the Thames as having the best view in London.
Mr Barker told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “King Henry VIII had his ships built in here. The Great Harry, The Beagle – that’s Darwin’s ship. The Sir Walter Raleigh ship was built there.”
He added: “In the middle of the rubbish [in the water], you can see a sort of pallet. I made that and put milk bottles in it and the birds used to nest on it.”
Greenwich Council gave planning permission in 2012 for a 14-storey development sitting between the two docks which would include 100 new flats. Despite receiving planning consent, the proposal, titled Mast Pond Wharf, has seen little movement in the 12 years since it was greenlit. The company named on the original application, set up in the name of Mast Pond Wharf Limited, has since been liquidated.
Mr Barker said: “They had sort of a stab at it. If you look through the window you will see a sort of ramp. They brought their vehicles up the ramp and they started doing exploratory piling and then it all faded away.”
Mast Pond Wharf would have also sought to add new lighting to the area and improve the water in the docks, which was previously used by fishing clubs. The scheme would have aerated the water in the docks to create livable ponds for fish that would be prevented from freezing in the winter. An angling club was also planned with storage space, a small café and toilets.
Mr Barker said: “If you look up the plans, it looks like an attractive block. It’s very complex, I don’t know whether it would work… It would be nice in a way if they did build flats because they would do all this up with duck Islands and lighting, it would be fantastic.”
Business advisory firm Quantuma told the LDRS that two members of its staff had been appointed as joint liquidators for Mast Pond Wharf Limited in November 2022. In October 2024 the site was taken under the control of ‘receivers’ but there’s no sign of any progress in developing it.
A spokesperson said: “Security agency Veritas Property Management Ltd were instructed to secure the perimeter of the site at King Henry’s Dock SE18 5QS and also carry out monthly site inspections.
“The joint liquidators provided a progress report in winding up on January 25, 2024 which was filed at Companies House. We can now confirm that LPA (Law of Property Act) receivers were appointed over the site on October 16, 2024.”
Albany UK, one of the developers understood to be behind the project, has been approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.