Flexible industrial building at 138-140 Nathan Way, Thamesmead, London SE28

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing an industrial warehouse and building a flexible industrial facility with parking, servicing, landscaping and utilities.

“Demolition of existing industrial warehouse and erection of building for flexible uses under Use Classes E(g)(iii), B2, and B8, including associated car and cycle parking, EV charging points, substation, service areas, hard surfacing, landscaping, means of enclosure and utilities.”

“3,168m2 of Gross Internal Area (GIA) ▪ Including 342m2 of ancillary office oriented towards the Kellner Road which will support the management and operations of the facility; ▪ Uses sought for the facility are classes E(g)(iii) – Industrial processes, B2 – General industrial, and B8 – Storage and Distribution; • Vehicular and access arrangements including: ▪ Servicing for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to the north of the site with five (5) car parking spaces for vehicles; ▪…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant warehouse site is a 0.51-hectare plot in strategic industrial land, surrounded by established industrial uses and near a place of worship.

“The surrounding area is characterised as an established industrial area with varying industrial warehouse uses. The site is bounded by Nathan Way to the north and Kellner Road to the south. Immediately adjoining the site to the north-east is an existing single storey pitched roof building located approximately 1m from the boundary which is in use as a place of worship.”

“The site has an PTAL rating of 1b (scale of 1 is poor to 6b which is excellent). The site is located approximately 1.4km west of Plumstead Station and the Elizabeth line to the southeast approximately 1.5km from the site as well as Woolwich Arsenal Station located approximately 2km from the site. There are a number of bus routes which connect the site to wider London with stops located approximately 50m from the site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered industrial use, fencing and parking, while a film studio proposal was ultimately refused after its legal agreement was not completed.

“App Number: 17/3729/F Status: Approved 28/03/18 Address 138-140 Nathan Way, Thamesmead, London, SE28 0AU Description: Extension of existing fence and gates to correspond with perimeter of plot. Resurfacing of the car park areas and inclusion of parking spaces for visitor/commercial/staff/motorcycle, bicycle parking and refuse storage (Reconsultation revised description).”

“App Number: 21/4447/F Status: Resolution to grant from Planning Board eventually refused due to applicant failing to complete the s106 agreement. Refused 03/06/2025 Address 138-140 Nathan Way, Thamesmead, London, SE28 0AU Description: Demolition of place of worship building (use class F1(f)), structures and partial demolition of existing general storage and industrial building (use class B2/B8) for the extension, refurbishment, alteration and change of use to Film Studio (B2…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Residents and businesses made no representations, while consultees generally raised no objections subject to conditions, contributions and management plans.

“ITEM NO: PAGE NO: Consultee: Historic England (GLAAS) Date received: Summary of consultation response: No objections were raised by GLAAS subject to a suitable condition being included to ensure a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) is carried out prior to development. Officer comments on consultation response: Conditions and recommendations provided by GLAAS have been included within the decision notice.”

“Consultee: Metropolitan Police Date received: 11/09/2025 Summary of consultation response: No objections subject to conditions requiring the development to achieve Secured by Design Certification. Officer comments on consultation response: Noted - appropriate conditions have been recommended.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s planning associate supported the development and described its jobs, sustainability, biodiversity and transport benefits.

Members’ questions

Members asked about public realm contributions, a possible pedestrian crossing, archaeology, traffic, access, operating hours and flexible industrial uses.

“The Planning Board accepted an illustrative presentation of the application from the Planning Officer, recommending consent. They also confirmed to members that of the £90,000 pounds contribution to public realm improvements £50,000 would be put towards improvements to the Ridgeway cycleway and £40 ,000 would go towards improvements and Nathan way and can read about producing…”

“The Planning Officer noted Members’ concern at the traffic level on Nathan Way confirming that the vehicle access and service yard, with 4 HGV bays, was by Nathan Way as Kellner Road would not support HGV access to the site. Cycle and pedestrian access, particularly to the Office element, would be via Kellner Road. The use class sought was B2 and B8 to allow flexibility for tenants and could be used as a mix of or single class use.”

Minutes

The vote

Nine members voted for the recommendation, with none against and none abstaining.

“Members had not commented in respect of the proposal and the Chair moved directly to the vote on the recommendation to grant planning consent with the amendment to the s106 agreement to include consideration of a crossing between the Ridgeway and the application site or a Crossing across Kelner Road between the Ridgeway, to the vote, with – 9 Members in favour 0 Members against 0 Members abstaining.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to the legal agreement and conditions, with the agreement amended to consider a crossing linking the Ridgeway and the site.

“Consent subject to: • The completion of a satisfactory Section 106 (S106) Legal Agreement (obligations set out in Section 25 of the report) with amendment – ‘to include consideration of a crossing between the Ridgeway and the application site or a Crossing across Kelner Road between the Ridgeway’ • The Conditions set out in Appendix 2 of the report.”

“That the Assistant Director (Planning & Building Control) be authorised to: • Make any minor changes to the detailed wording of the recommended conditions as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, and the minutes of this Planning Board meeting, where the Assistant Director (Planning & Building Control) considers it appropriate, before issuing the final decision notice • Finalise the detailed terms of the section 106 agreement (including appended documents) and form of the…”

Minutes