Century-old pub seeks permission to upgrade with swish hotel apartments

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A Greenwich pub dating back to the early 1900s wants to build a hotel on top of it.

Greenwich council has received plans for an aparthotel to be built above Hardy’s Free House, which reportedly dates back to 1926.

The plans would see the Trafalgar Road pub having 10 aparthotel rooms being added in an extra storey.

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, 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. 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 manage noise impacts in a variety of ways. They added that the development should not adversely impact nearby properties by reducing daylight, privacy or the views from neighbours’ homes.

Planning documents said: “The materials [for the proposed new building] have been chosen to complement the neighbouring buildings, as well as offer a modern, yet respectful addition to the street.”

The plans come before a planning committee meeting on January 16.

Pictured top: Hardy’s Free House, as seen in Trafalgar Road in East Greenwich. (Picture: Google Street View)