The Observatory, Woolwich

The sale of the property known as The Observatory provides an excellent opportunity to acquire an existing Grade II listed building, situated in Woolwich, southeast London for residential and/or commercial redevelopment. The site extends to c. 0.65 acres (0.26 hectares).



The Observatory is a Grade II listed building over lower ground and ground floors extending to 2,236 sq ft (GIA). The property has been in continual use by the Army since it was built in 1838. It has recently been vacated and was last used as welfare facilities. The property has an EPC rating of C (66).



The freehold is held by The Secretary of State for Defence and registered under title number TGL257583. The site will be sold freehold with vacant possession. All interested parties should make their own legal enquiries.

▼ Download the The Woolwich Observatory Particulars (pdf 4MB)

Available for download within the technical information pack:

• Heritage statement
• Arboricultural appraisal report
• UXO verification assessment
• EPC
• Floorplans
• Radiological survey
• Condition report

▼ Download The Woolwich Observatory technical information (zip 18MB)

The site is located within the administrative boundary of the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG) and sits within the Woolwich Common Conservation Area.

The current lawful use of the Site is considered to be Class C2a (secure residential institutions) given that it is ancillary to the wider Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich site. The property is now surplus to future military requirements, and as such, we consider the building and its curtilage provide a unique opportunity for a variety of different uses to be delivered in the future.

There is demonstrable and significant need in the Borough to ensure that the delivery of small sites contribute to the supply of housing land and thus residential uses are considered an appropriate use, subject to satisfying other policies within the Development Plan.

In addition, the property provides a unique opportunity to provide a range of future uses, including commercial, workspace, retail and food & beverage offers. As such, we consider there to be potential to negotiate a change of use at the site.

The Council’s latest Local Development Scheme (2019) identifies that a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the wider ‘Woolwich Barracks’ site is due to be prepared imminently. This forthcoming SPD is still at an early stage of preparation, and the DIO’s team is engaging with Council planning officers on an ongoing basis concerning preparation of this document.

The Avison Young planning appraisal report which has been shared with and endorsed by RBG and is available to download below.

▼ Download The Observatory Woolwich planning statement (pdf 2MB)

The freehold is held by The Secretary of State for Defence and registered under title number TGL257583. The site will be sold freehold with vacant possession. All interested parties should make their own legal enquiries.

▼ Download The Observatory Woolwich title information (zip 2MB)

The site is being marketed for sale by way of an open informal tender process. Unconditional offers are invited for the freehold interest, subject to contract. Please familiarise yourself with the MoD anti turn clause. Offers must be submitted on a specific proforma available for download below.

▼ Download the The Observatory Woolwich MoD anti-turn clause (doc 23KB)

▼ Download the The Observatory Woolwich Submission Proforma (doc 0.4MB)

• Email your proposal to [email protected]

Deadline for submissions: 25 April 2024 at 12.00

A strict ‘by appointment only’ viewing protocol is in place. Please contact a member of the Avison Young team to book an appointment:

Rachael Currie

07979475052

[email protected]

James Lineham

07747 857 324

[email protected]

James Warner

07983 707 228

[email protected]