Question mark over £250m Greenwich scheme's green credentials

Uncertainty surrounds the green credentials and construction schedule for a £250m sustainable residential development as it won planning permission last week.

English Partnerships originally expected First Base’s 645-unit ‘Heart of East Greenwich’ scheme to reach code level six under the Code of Sustainable Homes and touted the scheme as “London’s first major ‘zero-carbon’ development”.

It is expected to use a range of environmentally friendly technology such as on site generation of heat and power using biomass CHP and thermal storage.

But a spokeswoman for First Base confirmed that the development’s code level was “being reviewed” as the definition of ‘zero carbon’ was reassessed by the industry.

“We don’t know what will happen but we are still on target for this to be a highly environmental scheme. Our commitment to sustainability is exactly what it always has been,” she said.

She also indicated that no finish date has been set for the project because First Base is “reviewing phasing options” for its completion. But she denied that the scheme would be delayed.