Councillors have enthusiastically endorsed the development of a new 3,000-seat theatre on the Greenwich Peninsula, with one member boldly proclaiming it could become “our own National Theatre.”
This ambitious project, known as the Troubadour Greenwich Peninsula, will be strategically located adjacent to the cable car terminal, on land that is currently home to a coach park and offices related to the Silvertown Tunnel construction. The Troubadour group is already well-established, operating theatres in Wembley Park and Canary Wharf, and their planning representative, Tim Humphries, has characterized the Greenwich Peninsula venue as a potential "flagship" site for their organization.
The proposed theatre will feature two auditoriums, each with a capacity of 1,500 seats. It has been granted permission to operate at this site for a ten-year period, with hopes of opening its doors to the public in February or March of the upcoming year. The developer, Knight Dragon, envisions a future where residential properties will also be built on this site.
However, the plans have not been without contention; eight local residents raised concerns regarding possible noise disturbances from both the theatre performances and the influx of visitors, with one resident even likening it to the notorious Ministry of Sound nightclub in Elephant & Castle. This comparison was ultimately dismissed by planners in Greenwich, who determined that the benefits would outweigh such concerns.
While some councillors expressed reservations about the building’s design, which they described as "boxy," the sole resident who spoke at the meeting voiced strong support for the initiative. Sylvia Williams, representing the Greenwich Millennium Village Residents’ Association, argued that the area has long been saturated with housing developments and that a cultural venue like this would provide a much-needed alternative that enhances community life rather than simply increasing residential density.
Nevertheless, she did highlight the existing traffic challenges for buses departing from North Greenwich station after events at the O2 and suggested that access for local schools and community groups should be integrated into the planning permissions.
Oliver Royds, the chief executive of Troubadour, reassured attendees that a 50p surcharge on every ticket would be allocated towards community initiatives, including outreach programs that invite local schools to engage with the theatre. He shared a previous success story from their Wembley Park Theatre, where author Michael Morpurgo addressed students from local schools during a performance of "War Horse," alongside workshops designed to immerse them in the historical context of the story.
Royds committed to establishing a comprehensive plan to manage the loading of equipment and the flow of crowds in and out of the venue efficiently.
Supporting the proposal, Shooters Hill Green councillor Tamasin Rhymes expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I quite like the idea of our own National Theatre. I appreciate the design and welcome the cultural benefits, job creation, and training opportunities it promises."
Councillor David Gardner, representing the Labour party for the Greenwich Peninsula, praised the project as a significant innovation not just for the local area but for the entire borough and beyond. He highlighted the existing entertainment zone around the O2, which draws both tourists and residents from across London, stating, "This development is far more valuable than the David Beckham Academy that previously occupied the space."
Although he admitted that the design wasn’t his favorite and appeared somewhat boxy, he felt it was acceptable to overlook these aesthetic concerns in light of the overall positive impact it would bring.
Similarly, Kidbrooke Village Labour councillor David Sullivan, who had visited the Wembley venue, expressed his admiration and belief that the borough would take pride in hosting such a facility on the peninsula.
Following the meeting, Justine Simons, London’s deputy mayor for culture, praised the theatre's approval as “fantastic news,” emphasizing that London stands as the world’s theatre capital, attracting millions of annual visitors. She noted that this new 3,000-capacity venue would significantly enrich the burgeoning creative landscape in the area.
Laura Flanagan, director of Greenwich Peninsula for its developer Knight Dragon, stated that the theatre’s proposal reflects the increasing ambition and vitality of the cultural district.
In a related decision, councillors opted to postpone a proposal for a 20-storey tower across from the Ikea store on the peninsula due to resident concerns regarding the potential loss of green spaces.
